Everything in the Waze app, including the maps, software, graphics, and other users' contributions, is owned by Waze or its licensors, not by you.
This analysis describes what Waze's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision defines the scope of Waze's proprietary interest in the platform and its contents. It establishes that Waze maintains exclusive control over the intellectual property comprising the Service, which is foundational to Waze's ability to operate, license, and modify the platform.
The updated Terms now establish that you are binding yourself not only to the main Terms of Use but also to Waze's Content Moderation Policy, Community Terms, and Copyright Policy as integral parts of the agreement. This expands the set of rules you must comply with when using the Service. The revised terms also clarify that the Service is intended for users of legal driving age and explicitly describe Waze's advertising model: the Service is free because advertising revenue funds operations, and Waze uses your data to show you targeted ads, with controls available to manage ad personalization preferences.
View change record →Users who contribute map data or other content do not retain ownership of that content once submitted; Waze retains all intellectual property rights in the platform and its data.
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"The Service and all materials therein or transferred thereby, including, without limitation, software, images, text, graphics, illustrations, logos, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, photographs, audio, videos, music, and User Content belonging to other users (the "Waze Content"), and all Intellectual Property Rights related thereto, are the exclusive property of Waze and its licensors.Excerpt from Waze's Terms of Use
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Intellectual property ownership clauses are standard in software and platform agreements.
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This provision defines the scope of Waze's proprietary interest in the platform and its contents. It establishes that Waze maintains exclusive control over the intellectual property comprising the Service, which is foundational to Waze's ability to operate, license, and modify the platform.
Users who contribute map data or other content do not retain ownership of that content once submitted; Waze retains all intellectual property rights in the platform and its data.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 142 platforms. See the full comparison.
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