Thanks. Actually, there are two major map data providers: Navteq (now owned by Nokia) and Tele Atlas (now owned by TomTom). HTMLSpinnr noted that on his DVDs, there were copyrights by Navteq AND Tele Atlas (+ others). As I noted in the post above it, my 06's disc had Navteq but no Tele Atlas.
And now, there's also Google, who has made their own data using their Street View vehicles. I don't know who, beyond Tesla, uses their map data, however.
(Also, those companies are the "major" providers in North America. Different parts of the world have other providers.)
I don't think that's the case, at least not for all or even much of it. See Google Maps/Google Earth Terms and Conditions and Legal Notices for Google Maps/Google Earth and Google Maps/Google Earth APIs . From In which parts of the world is Street View available? - Maps Help, you can see MANY gaps in street view coverage. Also note what it says at Sources of information - Maps Help, then try going to maps.google.com and look at the company names that come up as you scroll around to different parts of the world.
sorry, should have clarified. Street data for the US comes exclusively from Street View data. Google made the switch years ago and announced it in a blog post of their own. Worldwide the situation is obviously different. but it's where the future for them is. they don't want to pay other people money or be dependent on them. makes sense.
Google Replaces Tele Atlas Data in US with Google StreetView Data | Understanding Google Places & Local Search
plus, as you pointed out, just check out the lower right corner of the map. if you look at SF, what do you see? Map data © 2012 Google
alright, here's a google PR piece masquerading as an Atlantic article expanding on this. look, it's not a secret. How Google Builds Its Maps—and What It Means for the Future of Everything - Alexis C. Madrigal - The Atlantic
While digging around for some street views, I found there are some roads in the US w/no street view coverage, so it seems unlikely or impossible the data for those came from street view. Try getting street views for these streets. There currently are none for these. This is also true for many of the roads near them, at least for the first two. Warnella Road, Davenport, CA Warnella Road, Santa Cruz, CA 1301 Tiffany Canyon Court, San Jose, CA
probably comes from public domain data like the census or USGS. the point was that they aren't using any other commercial providers for the base map. (also, way to dig up an old thread lol)