Microsoft announced the launch of an exciting new search product called Bing ™. The new site will begin rolling out on June 1st and will be available to the world on June 3rd at http://www.bing.com/. Location information, mapping, and imagery are important investment areas for online search.
On June 1, Microsoft's mapping platform brand will change from Microsoft Virtual Earth to Bing maps for enterprise. Bing maps for enterprise is the mapping platform that underpins the Bing maps service (Bing.com/maps) and serves you and the thousands of organizations that use Microsoft mapping technology on their Web sites and in their applications.
FAQ
Q. How will this affect my organization’s solution?
A. If you are using our mapping APIs, you will see the Bing watermark on content starting on June 1. This is a logo change only. This update will not introduce changes in performance or functionality of your application. The contract for your mapping service does not change in terms or duration. There is no action that you need to take.
Q. Do the API calls change?
A. No, the API calls will not change. They will still refer to Virtual Earth and MapPoint to help make sure that your implementation does not break and you do not need to make changes.
Q. Will the API Terms of Use change?
A. The API Terms of Use will be updated to replace the Microsoft Virtual Earth name with Bing Maps for Enterprise, but there is no other change to the terms.
Q. What if I have implemented the logo myself?
A. If you are not implementing the logo through the Virtual Earth, MapPoint Web Service, or Multimap APIs, please update your application to use the new Bing logo by September 1, 2009, at the latest. Logos may be obtained from your Microsoft contact for use with the mapping content in your application.
Q. My organization is featured in a Virtual Earth case study or press release. Will you be updating it with the new brand?
A. All new case studies and press releases after May 28, 2009, should feature the new brand. We will be updating some case studies to reflect the new brand and will contact you if necessary. We will not be updating press releases that predate the change.
Q. What if I refer to the Microsoft Virtual Earth brand on my Web site?
A. If you refer to Microsoft Virtual Earth on your Web site, we would like you to change your implementation to use the new name as soon as possible. If you would like to use the Bing logo or brand treatments on your Web site, please contact your Microsoft contact for approval and permission.