> the same old mapping/directory companies that do most of the work In that case, wouldn't it be mentioned in the copyright at the bottom right corner of maps.

> the same old mapping/directory companies that do most of the work In that case, wouldn't it be mentioned in the copyright at the bottom right corner of maps.google.com when looking at US maps? I only see "Map Data (c) 2012 Google". The Atlantic article mentions that they started with the TIGER data, not something from a mapping company. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/09/how-google-builds-its-maps-and-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-everything/261913/ http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/09/how-go...