Congratulations on the API. I think it's a great idea.
Reading the Terms of Use (linked at the bottom of the page), I am confused by the use of the word "Site." Sometimes it appears that "Site" refers to mtvnservices.com. Other times, it appears that "Site" refers to the services accessible via the API.
Is there any way to clear this up? Perhaps I've read it wrong.
Also, from my reading, the only restriction on the use of the API is that we can't "download" (as if you can watch a video without downloading it), but can only stream it. Are there other restrictions? Would it be possible to spell them out in a developer-friendly format? Perhaps as the first item on the Documentation page?
The clearer you can make the terms to potential developers, the more comfortable they will be with investing time in leveraging your API.
Thanks for checking us out... To clarify, the Terms of Use - http://developer.mtvnservices.com/page/legal/terms_of_use - apply to the developer portal, its message boards, blogs, documentation, etc.
The Terms of Service - http://developer.mtvnservices.com/page/legal/terms_of_service - apply to the API itself. I'll investigate posting a summary or breakdown of the terms.
Thanks, Justin. Is there a general discussion anywhere of how MTVN foresees the API being used? 3(c) of the Terms of Service reads
"You may not derive income from the use or provision of the MTVN APIs and/or MTVN API Content, whether for direct commercial or monetary gain or otherwise including, without limitation, income derived from the sale or access to the MTVN API Content or any advertising, sponsorships, promotions or any other content displayed, served or otherwise made available within or adjacent to the display of MTVN API Content via Your Website"
This precludes embedding videos on any blog (or other type of site) that has advertising. Seems odd.
We're definitely encouraging folks to embed the videos and content available through the API into their sites, blogs and applications. I've asked our legal department to review this passage.
We're not providing guidelines on how we foresee the API being used, specifically so we don't limit your creativity.
I hope this helps to clarify the Terms of Service. Here is the response from our legal department:
This is not legal advice, please consult with your attorney. The Terms of Service do not allow you to sell access to the API or the MTVN API Content nor may you sell advertising, sponsorships or promotions against the MTVN API Content or directly derive income from the MTVN API Content. Placing MTVN API Content on your site along with advertisements is acceptable, provided that you shall not identify, make reference to or otherwise use the MTVN API Content in any advertising sales collateral or delivery reports.
I am so not a lawyer,, clarifying legaleze with more legaleze OY..
I hate to beat a dead horse so to speak, but possibly the legal department could respond with simple yes/no answers so a caveman like me can comprehend...
If I write a method to fetch and parse MTVs XML and present the results, can I sell my method?
If selling the method is allowed, could that method include a few sample entries.
If selling the method is allowed, could that method include 3d party advertising, such as Google's Adsense ?
Potentially a developer key will be required to access the XML results. If selling the method is allowed, would each person who bought it need to get their own key, or could they continue to use the original developer's key.
A FAQ on what you can and can't do would go a long way :)
I wanted to piggy back on this. I wanted to create a site that will show MTVN API based off the user's search criteria. I want to use that search criteria to also recommend CDs and DVDs for them to buy. Are you saying that this is not allowed?
Congratulations on the API. I think it's a great idea.
Reading the Terms of Use (linked at the bottom of the page), I am confused by the use of the word "Site." Sometimes it appears that "Site" refers to mtvnservices.com. Other times, it appears that "Site" refers to the services accessible via the API.
Is there any way to clear this up? Perhaps I've read it wrong.
Also, from my reading, the only restriction on the use of the API is that we can't "download" (as if you can watch a video without downloading it), but can only stream it. Are there other restrictions? Would it be possible to spell them out in a developer-friendly format? Perhaps as the first item on the Documentation page?
The clearer you can make the terms to potential developers, the more comfortable they will be with investing time in leveraging your API.
Again, congratulations.
Tags
justintormey – 1 year ago
Thanks for checking us out... To clarify, the Terms of Use - http://developer.mtvnservices.com/page/legal/terms_of_use - apply to the developer portal, its message boards, blogs, documentation, etc.
The Terms of Service - http://developer.mtvnservices.com/page/legal/terms_of_service - apply to the API itself. I'll investigate posting a summary or breakdown of the terms.
wzph – 1 year ago
Thanks, Justin. Is there a general discussion anywhere of how MTVN foresees the API being used? 3(c) of the Terms of Service reads
"You may not derive income from the use or provision of the MTVN APIs and/or MTVN API Content, whether for direct commercial or monetary gain or otherwise including, without limitation, income derived from the sale or access to the MTVN API Content or any advertising, sponsorships, promotions or any other content displayed, served or otherwise made available within or adjacent to the display of MTVN API Content via Your Website"
This precludes embedding videos on any blog (or other type of site) that has advertising. Seems odd.
justintormey – 1 year ago
We're definitely encouraging folks to embed the videos and content available through the API into their sites, blogs and applications. I've asked our legal department to review this passage.
We're not providing guidelines on how we foresee the API being used, specifically so we don't limit your creativity.
justintormey – 1 year ago
I hope this helps to clarify the Terms of Service. Here is the response from our legal department:
This is not legal advice, please consult with your attorney. The Terms of Service do not allow you to sell access to the API or the MTVN API Content nor may you sell advertising, sponsorships or promotions against the MTVN API Content or directly derive income from the MTVN API Content. Placing MTVN API Content on your site along with advertisements is acceptable, provided that you shall not identify, make reference to or otherwise use the MTVN API Content in any advertising sales collateral or delivery reports.
Dewed – 1 year ago
I am so not a lawyer,, clarifying legaleze with more legaleze OY..
I hate to beat a dead horse so to speak, but possibly the legal department could respond with simple yes/no answers so a caveman like me can comprehend...
If I write a method to fetch and parse MTVs XML and present the results, can I sell my method?
If selling the method is allowed, could that method include a few sample entries.
If selling the method is allowed, could that method include 3d party advertising, such as Google's Adsense ?
Potentially a developer key will be required to access the XML results. If selling the method is allowed, would each person who bought it need to get their own key, or could they continue to use the original developer's key.
A FAQ on what you can and can't do would go a long way :)
justintormey – 1 year ago
Unfortunately, we cannot provide specific legal advice. Please review the Terms of Use and the Terms of Service.
Thanks,
Jt.
R Geezie – 10 months ago
Justin,
I wanted to piggy back on this. I wanted to create a site that will show MTVN API based off the user's search criteria. I want to use that search criteria to also recommend CDs and DVDs for them to buy. Are you saying that this is not allowed?
Thanks,
Ray