Real time tube and bus maps

[Mark L]

Some will be familiar with the live tube and bus maps developed by Matthew Somerville and available here - https://traintimes.org.uk/map/tube/

Well they aren't there any more as TfL is arguing that they are breaching its intellectual property rights.

Mark

 

[OscarH]

That's a real shame. As Matthew says, they are probably within their rights to, and there's no comeback sadly, but it's a complete lack of common sense. Contacting the ISP without giving him a chance is just the cherry on top - they should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Mark L]

Unlike many such infringements (a) he is providing something that adds value to TfL's data feed, (b) it's not something that TfL provides (indeed it doesn't produce a bus map of any kind any more) and (c) he's not doing it as a commercial venture.

I must admit I always found watching the "blobs" that represented buses move along the map strangely compelling. I know I should probably get out more but if I do I simply watch real buses move along the road so it doesn't really help me integrate back into mainstream society!

 

[Goldfish62]

If he buys a licence to use the tube map, like everyone else has to, he can reinstate the map. That's the nature of intellectual property rights worldwide.

I have no idea why he removed the bus maps as well. There was no need to.

 

[dosxuk]

I have no idea why he removed the bus maps as well. There was no need to.

Likewise with the other tube maps. It's only the actual tube map which needs to be licenced.

That's a real shame. As Matthew says, they are probably within their rights to, and there's no comeback sadly, but it's a complete lack of common sense. Contacting the ISP without giving him a chance is just the cherry on top - they should be ashamed of themselves.

As they say in their email to him, there is a comeback - to licence the map from them. Just like any organisation, TfL need to protect their trademarks, otherwise they will lose them. And it is well known that TfL are very protective of their brand and trademarks.

I'm sorry, but this seems to be very much a case of throwing toys out of a pram after being scolded for something entirely predictable.

 

[Goldfish62]

I'm sorry, but this seems to be very much a case of throwing toys out of a pram after being scolded for something entirely predictable.

Agreed. Hopefully he'll have a rethink, get a licence for the tube map and all will be well.

 

[Recessio]

Could he just not use the official tube map and use some other variant of it? (say, just use a geographical map?)

 

[Robski]

The maps have been reinstated after TfL apologised.

Update – 14th January 2025​

TfL have apologised for the way that their “online brand protection agency” handled this and their approach to my hosting provider, and will be discussing matters with them. Given that, and the numerous emails I have been receiving from people missing the maps, I’m happy to reinstate them.