I brought this up in the previous twitter api thread, but it is interesting to get more thoughts.
Perhaps the answer is to stop using apis.
I developed a reddit extension, and when reddit cut off my api access I was able to crowdsource a datafeed through an inbrowser extension. I'm not saying it applies here, but with some creativity I think some apps could be refactored to use a similar approach.
It is not a clean or easy technological solution, but it seems like the api route isn't clean or easy politically.
Imagine if Google tried to get off the ground by using apis to crawl or if Facebook had used approved apis to populate its initial database. They'd be quickly killed, just like what is happening api innovators right now.
Facebook has shown a willingness to send Cease and Desist letters to people who do this[1]. I'm sure they would be more than willing to follow up with a lawsuit. Most sites (that I've actually looked at :) with APIs have clauses against the automated gathering of data from their site. This would fall directly within that.
I suppose if you are located somewhere where you feel like you are outside of the reach of their legal arm, you might be able to get away with it. Otherwise, you are in a legally shaky position, at best.
Perhaps the answer is to stop using apis.
I developed a reddit extension, and when reddit cut off my api access I was able to crowdsource a datafeed through an inbrowser extension. I'm not saying it applies here, but with some creativity I think some apps could be refactored to use a similar approach.
It is not a clean or easy technological solution, but it seems like the api route isn't clean or easy politically.
Imagine if Google tried to get off the ground by using apis to crawl or if Facebook had used approved apis to populate its initial database. They'd be quickly killed, just like what is happening api innovators right now.