Does Google read and own your Google Docs information?
Is this enforceable, legal and does it mean that google can do whatever they want with anything you post in a google docs account?
http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/terms/user_terms.html >>
“… you grant Google a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, adapt, modify, publish and distribute such Content on Google services for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting Google services…”
In other words if I keep password information there, they can publish my passwords? If I publish ideas there, they can read it and use it?
Answers (7)
Am C.
The Quantum Millionaire - Do You Have What It Takes?
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They can and do read your google docs. Though I don't know if they "own" them once you have created them. Though the gov might come along to claim them if they feel the need to do so....
Mark A.
Senior Software Developer / IT Professional
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You need to put that quote back in context. The correct quote is:
"By submitting, posting or displaying Content on or through Google services which are intended to be available to the members of the public, you grant Google a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, adapt, modify, publish and distribute such Content on Google services for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting Google services."
The operative phrase is "...which are intended to be available to the members of the public..."
For the scenario you ask about to apply, you would have to submit your password information AS CONTENT in a context where it is publicly viewable; IF you do that, THEN Google claims a license to reproduce that information WHICH YOU'VE ALREADY MADE PUBLICLY VISIBLE for its marketing purposes.
Now, having clarified what the language means, to the narrower questions:
No, Google doesn't own your information; the sentence before the quoted passage clearly spells out that you keep ownership. Yes, it's enforcable and legal. No, it doesn't mean they can do whatever they want with anything you post in a google docs account.
you are the owner of anythign you create. this is the bais of copyright law. Therefore you not google willmown the material on the docs which you have created.
Gogle thou, can look and publish these docs. But doing of the same may bring them to be liabale under copyright laws. They may be allowed to circumvent these laws only for uses such as threat to security or any other unforseen circumstances.
Amit S.
Founder/CEO @72interactive
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Michael, if the term read what you have mentioned then I think they do read through your documents and its not safe to keep it on Google Doc specially if you are working with a brand.
Since it would be technically difficult for google to read and capture everything.
Links:
Asawari S.
Legal Advisor at Globosport Group
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The language currently reads as follows: "You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services."
So you will always retain copyright in all your content. Google will get license rights (royalty free, non-exclusive, etc.) only if you "submit, post or display" the content on Google services. "Submit, post or display" brings into picture publicizing the content, which depends on you.
So answering your question, if you keep password info or ideas on Google docs when your settings are "private to only me", then the same does not amount to "submitting, posting or displaying" on the services and the same cannot be read and used by Google. However your settings are not private then yes, Google can read and use the content....
Jonathan Z.
Recent Graduate of Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
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Jonathan Z. suggests this expert on this topic:
However, paragraph 11.2 adds just enough ambiguity to still raise a question:
11.2 You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.
Links:
Clarification added 12 months ago:
11.3 You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this license shall permit Google to take these actions.
