MapMyIndia accuses Ola Maps of stealing data for building Ola Maps

CE Info Systems, the parent company of MapMyIndia, has filed a lawsuit against Ola Electric, accusing it of copying proprietary data to build its own Ola Maps. According to a report, the ride aggregator has been accused of duplicating MapMyIndia’s API and SDKs, co-mingling, and reverse engineering licensed products, which is prohibited under the terms of their agreement signed in June 2021.

In early July, Ola launched Ola Maps, claiming it was developed using open-source data.

In 2022, MapMyIndia was onboarded by Ola Electric to provide navigation services for its S1 Pro electric scooter. According to MapMyIndia, the agreement prohibited Ola Electric from integrating the licenced product with any similar competing product and from reverse engineering or attempting to extract or replicate the source code from any API or related software of the licensed product.

“You have duplicated our client’s API (application programming interface) and SDKs (software development kits) from proprietary sources belonging to our client to build OLA Maps. It is firmly stated that our client’s exclusive data has been copied/derived by you to further your illegal motive and for your unjust commercial gains,” CE Info Systems said, as quoted by Forbes India.

In its legal document, the company further said, “Your assertion that you have developed API and map data/Ola Maps solely through open map is factually incorrect and not tenable.”

“By indulging in such unscrupulous and illegal activities, you have acted in blatant defiance of the terms and conditions of the agreement and have further infringed the copyright vested exclusively in our client pertaining to the source code,” the notice further said.

In response, Ola Electric retorted that the claims against the company made by MapMyIndia are false, and misleading and it will soon reply to the legal notice. 

“Ola Electric wishes to address the recent claims made by CE Info Systems Limited in relation to the alleged issues with Ola Maps vis-a-vis MapMyIndia and reported in news media. We would like to state unequivocally that these allegations are false, malicious, and misleading. Ola Electric stands by the integrity of its business practices. We will suitably respond to the notice shortly," an Ola Electric spokesperson said.