Craigslist Quietly Begins Testing The Feature It Sued PadMapper For Adding
from the market-research? dept
Craigslist is somewhat famous for keeping its rather antiquated design, and refusing to make changes. Even when well meaning fans have suggested ideas for improving the site, Craigslist has resisted, insisting that it's really just about design companies who are trying to get hired.So that makes the following story all the more interesting. You may recall that Craigslist has gotten itself into an unfortunate and petty legal spat with the site PadMapper, because PadMapper dared to make Craigslist more useful, in part by putting Craigslist housing entries on a map so people could see where they are. This is a pretty small, but incredibly useful tweak, and Craigslist -- normally a defender of internet freedom -- suddenly turned into a protectionist legal aggressor and sued.
However, as Aaron DeOliveira points out to us, Craigslist has just started quietly testing out its own upgrade... using maps. They're using OpenStreetMap (which is interesting in its own right as more and more companies are moving away from Google Maps to the much more open (duh) OpenStreetMap).
While there may not be a direct connection between PadMapper and Craigslist's decision, the timing certainly raises some eyebrows, and hints at the idea that Craigslist might just be suing PadMapper for improving Craigslist before Craigslist had a chance to launch the feature itself. Or, even worse, Craigslist thought it was such a good idea that it sued PadMapper while using its idea. That's not quite the "open innovation" model that Craig Newmark tries to champion.
For what it's worth, PadMapper's Eric DeMenthon is actually quite conciliatory about the whole thing:
“I’m glad something good came out of all this,” says PadMapper creator Eric DeMenthon. “Lots of people wrote to them about the PadMapper cease and desist [letter], so maybe that convinced them that it was worthwhile to do some mapping themselves.Market research by suing those who try to improve you? Doesn't seem like the most effective system.
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Filed Under: features, maps, market research, updates
Companies: craigslist, openstreetmap, padmapper
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and it's corollary - The more you sue, the more your business model will improve.
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Re:
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Patented...
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I'm just trying to keep hope alive that Craigslist isn't becoming evil.
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Let's be logical here.. Craigslist may have been planning this feature for a year when Padmapper began its service. Craigslist would be stupid to allow them to continue to piggy back on them and become popular when they have already planned rolling out a service like that.
Even if they hadn't been throwing that idea around (unlikely), you still absolutely do not, as a business, want a 3rd party to be able to 'represent' your product. In this case, Craigslist would have no control over how Padmapper presented user's with the Craigslist content. Controlling you brand is SUPER important.
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What about greasemonkey?
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Re:
PadMapper's version had been out for a long time before Craigslist threatened them... and then it waited a while before suing as well.
then let the media know shortly after suing another company for making the same tool.
Craigslist didn't let the media know about this new thing. People spotted it...
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Excuse me, this is pitifully bad.
Unless there is something substantially more in the pipeline, I'd have to say that CL still doesn't get it. Not surprising, but a continual disappointment nonetheless. Where is the city map view of all listings. Come on.
And check out this one. 48th and Balboa. The pin is out in the ocean!!!! Pffft.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/sub/3237512654.html
There should be a Razzie awards for tech. I think we have a winner.
Dan
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carsabi
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Yes, masnick, that is the way all legal proceedings work, as you should well know, as you claim to be some kind of legal expert.
you cannot sue someone before you 'threaten' them, that threat is "we are trying to come to some resolution to this, do you want to work with us, or do you want us to get the law to resole it".
if that company then decides to 'fight' it, they ignore that offer to make amends, and the case proceeds to a hearing..
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Get that tongue out of your cheek, young man!
"somewhat famous for keeping its rather antiquated design"
...quite...
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The Last Word
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