This is exactly why I think the quote "I'd Rather Beg Forgiveness Than Ask Permission" should be carefully avoided when you depend on 3d parties, API, etc.
I always explicitely ask API/sites (Amazon included) owners whenever I have a doubt.
What do we have here - Amazon terms:
"The use of a mobile application
in conjunction with the Product Advertising API or the Associates Program without our express prior written approval is not permitted."
Which leads to this interpretation:
"Here's my understanding of the situation:
- Amazon does not seem to allow the usage of any Amazon data in mobile
applications, any data that was once downloaded from Amazon."
My interpretation is different: Amazon does not allow the usage of mobile xxx, unless express prior written approval.
So I really think this story tells us something: if you work with someone, get in touch, ensure the situation is clear, then go on with your project.
"Beg[ging] Forgiveness" is only better than "Ask[ing] Permission" in one-off situations, where the consequences are tolerable. It's a terrible fit here for two (2) reasons:
1) It's not after-the-fact forgiveness you'd be seeking, but forgiveness "during-the-fact". It's like indulgences - it's hard to make a sincere apology for a sin you're still committing.
2) The other party has them over a barrel. If Amazon doesn't accept the apology, it's not a broken friendship - they'll shut off the API and put the company out of business. It's only a sound strategy to Beg Forgiveness if you can survive the consequences of a refusal to forgive. Consider copyright infringement - it's better to get permission up front than trust that it's fair use or that the owner won't care, because you can't survive the multi-million dollar lawsuit they can bring.
Comments
This is exactly why I think the quote "I'd Rather Beg Forgiveness Than Ask Permission" should be carefully avoided when you depend on 3d parties, API, etc.
I always explicitely ask API/sites (Amazon included) owners whenever I have a doubt.
What do we have here - Amazon terms:
"The use of a mobile application in conjunction with the Product Advertising API or the Associates Program without our express prior written approval is not permitted."
Which leads to this interpretation:
"Here's my understanding of the situation: - Amazon does not seem to allow the usage of any Amazon data in mobile applications, any data that was once downloaded from Amazon."
My interpretation is different: Amazon does not allow the usage of mobile xxx, unless express prior written approval.
So I really think this story tells us something: if you work with someone, get in touch, ensure the situation is clear, then go on with your project.
"Beg[ging] Forgiveness" is only better than "Ask[ing] Permission" in one-off situations, where the consequences are tolerable. It's a terrible fit here for two (2) reasons:
1) It's not after-the-fact forgiveness you'd be seeking, but forgiveness "during-the-fact". It's like indulgences - it's hard to make a sincere apology for a sin you're still committing.
2) The other party has them over a barrel. If Amazon doesn't accept the apology, it's not a broken friendship - they'll shut off the API and put the company out of business. It's only a sound strategy to Beg Forgiveness if you can survive the consequences of a refusal to forgive. Consider copyright infringement - it's better to get permission up front than trust that it's fair use or that the owner won't care, because you can't survive the multi-million dollar lawsuit they can bring.