esri-leaflet api required and freely allowed (terms of use)? about esri-leaflet

[pmacMaps]

I've found that the raster-based basemaps can be used without requiring an API key. But the vector basemaps require an API key. I'm not an Esri employee, so I'm just sharing my experience.

[Danny-dK]

Thanks for sharing! I also found that the raster-based one can be used without an API key (which I was happy with). Hoping it is allowed to use for personal usage without any license limitation.

[jf990]

Thanks @Danny-dK as you note over the various documentation sources the licensing story is confusing. The article from 2011 is out of date and doesn't represent the current licencing requirements. You uncovered the two most relevant articles:

• World Imagery item page points to Use and Terms of use. You can add this layer to the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer, ArcGIS Desktop, or ArcGIS Pro. which are Esri softwares, and the Terms of use.
• Esri provides a Summary of the Terms of Use regarding basemap service usage as follows:

Use with Esri software and comply with its terms of use. If you do not have Esri software, you must purchase an ArcGIS or Developer subscription

This means you can use the basemap service either with existing Esri software, or if you are building your own app, a subscription to an Esri product, together with authentication (e.g. an API key.) Therefore the instructions on https://developers.arcgis.com/esri-leaflet/ are correct and developers should follow that.

An Esri developer subscription is free and gives you access to 2 million tiles per month.

[Danny-dK]

@jf990 But why should I sign up for a subscription? I don't need an api key or any form of authentication to access the ESRI World imagery. I can use leaflet in R, create a leaflet map requesting the ESRI world imagery basemap, and save as an html file, and I can use the map without ever having to authenticate in any way. How would ESRI or AcGis know about any user using the map without ESRI software or an ESRI developer subscription (as there is no indication that you need any information from a subscription to be included in your code)? On the documentation (https://developers.arcgis.com/esri-leaflet/authentication/apikeys/) it says an API key is required "in order to access the service(s) or content item(s) required in your application", which would indicate that without an API key you can't access the services, which (again) is not true.

[Danny-dK]

Added reprex can be found at https://rstudio.github.io/leaflet/articles/basemaps.html. Which is the exact same thing I can replicate locally and save as working html without ever having to authenticate or using an API. Whereas the previous link shows the STADIA maps as not functioning due to lack of an API.

Don't get me wrong. I like that it is completely open source and open accessible, I think that is just very nice. But I want to make sure that I'm not doing anything wrong (and I'm only using it for myself personally without ever wanting it to be put online anywhere or be used in any app or software, only be able to open it on my own laptop; just tracking my own travels over the world).

[Danny-dK]

@ajturner Just throwing a name out there. Do you know anyone that has an answer to my question? To summarize:

• ESRI World Imagery at https://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer can be reached without the requirement of an API (as in I can create a map and save as working html without ever having to supply an API key).
• Is this according to terms of use for personal use (not business or any commercial use)?
• I'm not talking about you need an API key to access the map content, as I can access it without an API key.

[Danny-dK]

I have been in contact with the Dutch branch of customer service (who btw don't hide their email customer service behind a login like the American version does). They told me that although the mapserver with amongst others the Esri WorldImagery map will be transitioned to be locked behind an API key. They just haven't had the time to do so. So although an API key is not required right now, it will be in the future, and the license indicates that the API key is required.