Any ideas on how to put a map in a book?

[Wasatch Rebel]

I'm writing a book about Utah activities and I'd like to include maps. The thing is, I don't know how to copy a map and put it in a book... or even if I might be violating a copyright or something to do so, which I don't want to do. So I'm wondering if I can copy Google Maps and use them in my book, or Mapquest, or even photocopy from fold out maps? Or would there be some other way that would be legal?

[DOSS]

Google maps, mapquest etc are all under copyright so putting them in a book is a no no (Unless you pay them) same with the old maps.. In most books you see that they have a custom map drawn just for their purposes.. that is what you will most likely have to do. What do you have to map?

[Wasatch Rebel]

I'm doing a variety of things, some roads, some hiking trails.

[Skylinerider]

Find somone who knows GIS and have them make you a map.

[Iceaxe]

I use National Geographic Topo maps on my website. In order to do so I had to apply for a TOPO Extended User License (EUL). In most cases the license is granted free of charge.

More info here:
http://www.natgeomaps.com/assets/downloads/NGMaps_EUL.pdf

I have no clue how other mapping software companies work, but National Geographic was easy to deal with and I received my license within 24 hours of applying. I bet I spent less than one hour total time getting a license.

There are a couple other minor issues to deal with: A website has to provide a link back to TOPO, A book has to mention TOPO is the software used to create the map. All maps must have the TOPO! National Geographic copyright information, which is not a problem because the TOPO software puts it on the map for you.

Anyhoo.... hope that helps. :cool2:

[Wasatch Rebel]

Thanks, Iceaxe. That's a big help.

[Iceaxe]

FYI: Most maps published by U.S. government agencies, including U.S.G.S., U.S.D.A., N.O.S, N.O.A.A., N.P.S. and the Census Bureau are not copyright protected, or at least that is what I have been told.

If you have a preferred mapping software you want to use I'd just contact the company and ask what is required in obtaining an extended user licence.

[Wasatch Rebel]

FYI: Most maps published by U.S. government agencies, including U.S.G.S., U.S.D.A., N.O.S, N.O.A.A., N.P.S. and the Census Bureau are not copyright protected, or at least that is what I have been told.

That's good to know too. At least, it's worth making sure if that's true or not.


If you have a preferred mapping software you want to use I'd just contact the company and ask what is required in obtaining an extended user licence.

I need to get some good mapping software. Or maybe learn how to use the mapping software I already have--the program that came with my Garmin GPS.