Google And Microsoft Get 6 Months Extension For Mapping License

Google and Microsoft have 6 more months to bring their online mapping services in line with the new Chinese online mapping regulations.
Companies such as Google and Microsoft now have until March 31st 2011 to apply for and receive  a mapping license from the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. Any organization found to be supplying maps of China after that date with our proper permission should expect to receive legal action against them starting July 1st.

Currently the only 31 companies have received their mapping licenses including Google rivals Nokia, Baidu, Allibaba, Sina and Tencent, meaning both Google and Microsoft need to get their paperwork in order soon if they want to enjoy a piece of the 2.5 Billion Yuan estimated sales revenue which, mapping services are predict to make from the 150 million users next year.