Policies
Map.ca policy

Pin Owner Agreement

The rights and responsibilities of Pin owners — who can create a Pin, what they control, what must stay accurate.

A Pin belongs to the person, business, organization, property owner, or authorized operator who controls it (Constitution §2 principle 1: People own their presence). Map.ca hosts, structures, and displays the Pin. It does not claim ownership of the underlying business information, listing details, service descriptions, photos, or community contributions beyond what is needed to operate the platform.

Creating a Pin commits the owner to keeping its public-facing information honest: the name, address, contact details, service area, hours, pricing claims, credentials, licensing claims, and emergency information must reflect reality. The Pin Accuracy Policy gives the specific requirements; this agreement defines the relationship around them.

Ownership transfers, business closures, sales, mergers, and successor relationships have to be reported so the public record stays accurate. Abandoned Pins are handled under the Abandoned Pin Policy: hiding, archiving, or transferring follows a documented process rather than a silent disappearance. Handle squatting on real businesses, municipalities, governments, and public institutions is not honoured — verified identity reclaims the handle, consistent with Map.ca’s business plan position on reserved handles.

When a Pin owner disagrees with a moderation, claim, or accuracy decision, the Appeals Policy gives them a path that does not depend on knowing the right person. Map.ca keeps the audit log; the owner keeps the presence.

Requirements

  • Keep your Pin’s public-facing information accurate.
  • Report ownership transfers, closures, and successor relationships.
  • Respond to verification requests within the timelines in the Claim and Verification Policy.
  • Use the appeals path when you disagree with a moderation decision.

Prohibitions

  • Do not create Pins for businesses, organizations, or properties you do not represent.
  • Do not squat on handles reserved for municipalities, governments, or public institutions.
  • Do not publish credentials, licensing claims, or emergency information you cannot substantiate.
  • Do not use a Pin to harass, mislead, or impersonate.

Related policies