MapMyIndia accuses Ola of data theft to create Ola Maps, sends legal notice

MapMyIndia's parent company CE Info Systems has reportedly accused Ola of illegally copying data to develop its recently launched Ola Maps interface.

The incident was first reported by Forbes India. It said the allegations centered on claims that Ola Electric has cached and saved MapMyIndia's data, combined it and reverse-engineered a licensed product acquired through an agreement in 2021.

CE Info Systems said in a legal notice sent to Ola Electric, "You have copied our client's API (application programming interface) and SDK (software development kit) from our client's proprietary sources to create Ola Maps. It is strongly stated that our client's exclusive data has been copied/derived by you to further your illegal intent and for your unjust commercial benefits." Forbes India has claimed that this notice has been reviewed.

It is being told that the notice also opposes Ola's claim to independently develop its API and map data through open source.

Forbes India said that the legal notice highlights that Ola's actions have violated the terms of the 2021 agreement. Which clearly prohibits co-mixing and reverse engineering under intellectual property laws.

The notice said, "By engaging in such dishonest and illegal activities, you have openly violated the terms of the agreement. And have infringed the copyright vested in our client, in particular, relating to the source code."

In early July, Ola launched Ola Maps. Which was an important move announced by Ola founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on social media. He revealed that Ola has completely stopped using Google Maps and Azure. By shifting to Ola Maps, it has reduced its mapping service expenses from Rs 100 crore annually to zero.

This announcement came amid Ola Electric's Rs 6,100 crore IPO. Anchor investors were set to bid from August 1.

However, the launch of Ola Maps has now been affected by the allegations of CE Info Systems. The legal notice accused Ola of misusing confidential information and trade secrets belonging to MapMyIndia.

CE Info Systems said in its notice, "The illegal actions and unfair business practices adopted by you with the sole purpose of unfairly enriching yourself while harming the business interests of our client are unacceptable."

At the same time, an Ola Electric spokesperson has issued a statement and clarified these allegations.

The statement said, "Ola Electric would like to put its side on the recent claims made by CE Info Systems Limited ("CE Info") and reported in the news media regarding the alleged issues between Ola Maps and MapMyIndia. We want to clearly state that these allegations are false, malicious, and misleading. Ola Electric stands by the integrity of its business practices. We will respond appropriately to the notice soon."