I think the region should have sued both Google and the Boring family for lowered property value. The Boring home is a disaster on the eyes. If they lived near me, I would petition them out. And sue Google for exposing a sore in my a$#!!

mr_tforte

Just my thoughts.

Fidel on the Roof

They're money grubbers, that's all this is. The house is already online at a government website. They're only suing Google, because Google has money and will likely settle. This is a disgusting waste of the court's time.

CMU_Bueller

Nevertheless, the pictures have been pulled from Google maps already. I somehow doubt that they will receive their $25,000.

icntdrv

MassimoLaterensis

matto

#1 - if you go through StreetView on the street of the Plaintiffs
[maps.google.com]
you'll see that it is a very primitive street with a patch of grass running down the middle. This might be of concern if indeed this primitive road is private due to trespassing concerns. I was wondering why the heck Google is going down a primitive street, but especially a private one (if it is). BTW, Google has since removed the images at the end of this street from their StreetView (you can now only see the Plaintiff's house in the distance from the last StreetView image. But it looks like "The Smoking Gun" captured the images before Google removed them.
[www.thesmokinggun.com]
Currently, the Allegheny County's website contains more photo detail than Google had, and tons more financial and other information about the Plaintiff's house.
[www2.county.allegheny.pa.us]

#2 - if the road is public, and as of yet I haven't seen any indication that it isn't, then doesn't this pose a problem for the rest of the citizenry? Doesn't a citizen have the right to stroll down any public property, including taking photos? What if some dude stopped you from strolling down some public street in California denying you your rights? And on the "Right of Way", this is also public and any citizen can go here, take photos, pick their nose, hold up signs, whatever.
[www.google.com]
This Right of Way, usually 10 feet from the edge of a roadway, may likely even go on to an area where the Plaintiffs mow their grass. This concern of a single individual, company, or public official to take away the rights from us all greatly concerns me, to the extent that I will go on this street soon to see if indeed it is clearly marked "Private".

#3 - On rights, just because we have the right to Free Speech, doesn't give us the right to yell "fire" (if there isn't one) in a crowded movie theater. Is what Google's doing responsible? Although it seems that they may have a right to do this, should they? Google, a private corporation, makes a profit with such materials - how far can making money take people? Mussolini once described his form of Fascism as more appropriately called "Corporatism". How much information is too much? Is this another step towards "Big Brother" control? I just spoke "off the air" with a techie who does a local radio broadcast and this seems to be his concern about StreetView.
[mycomputerdoctors.com]

I'm really not sure what to think, I'm torn between #2 above and #3. I see the concerns about taking away our rights (#2) but also see where making such information available on a mass scale might be irresponsible. I'm still discerning.

AndyPittsburgh

speer320

dalejo

I'd certainly give their lawsuit some legs, especially because they're suing in Pennsylvania and those folks generally value their privacy.

Of course another question that comes to mind is what the hell is the point of these photos? In a city, you could use the argument that "street view" can be useful for directions, but that's not the case in backwater PA and if Google tries to use the real estate argument, the people can just say that if and when they want to sell their house, then they'll let their chosen realtor take some photos.

@ClosingTag: The pics of Babs house weren't taken from private property.

Magister

categorically

CyndyA

cowsandmilk

SavoryFigNewton

Fidel on the Roof

Your property looks like the compound of some small clan of zealots to whom child marriage is a sacrament.

Sincerely,
Everyone

FlakJack

Someone should organize daily flash-mob meetings just at the end of their street.

zionvier

But they should have at least seen the $150,000 price tag Streisand had to pay for legal fees.

sample032

WagCurious

sample032

ClosingTag

Rachel Marsden

fishneversleep

1TimStreet

scoobydoo