23 May 2025
When you open Google Maps to find a coffee shop, plan your drive, or check traffic, you probably don’t think about patents. But patents are a big part of why Google Maps is the leader in navigation technology — and why it’s so hard for competitors to catch up.
Google Maps isn’t just lucky or better designed — it’s backed by a smart strategy to protect the inventions that make it faster, more accurate, and easier to use.
Here’s a quick look at what’s happening behind the scenes.
The Key Innovations Google Protects
Google Maps uses many patented technologies, including:
- Real-time updates: Their mapping system updates roads, traffic, and closures almost instantly.
- Smarter routes: Special algorithms pick the fastest way to get you where you’re going, adjusting for traffic on the fly.
- Accurate location tracking: Advanced systems help pinpoint exactly where you are.
- AR directions: Newer features let you use your phone’s camera to get walking directions right on the screen.
Because Google has patented many of these features, competitors can’t legally copy them. This keeps Google a step ahead.
Why the User Experience Matters
Google Maps also works so well because it’s easy to use with other Google services. You can:
- Search for a café on Google, then get instant directions.
- Ask Google Assistant for the fastest way home.
- Plan a trip and see real-time updates along the way.
It even lets users report accidents and roadblocks, making traffic updates even faster and more accurate.
Protecting More Than Just the Technology
It’s not just patents doing the work. Google also protects:
- Trademarks: Like the "Google Maps" name and logo, so people know it’s the real deal.
- Copyrights: Like the unique map designs and layouts, so others can’t simply copy the look and feel.
This combination of IP protection — patents, trademarks, and copyrights — locks in Google’s advantage.
A Real-World Example
Imagine you’re driving from Sydney to Parramatta during peak traffic. Google Maps checks live traffic conditions, reroutes you if necessary, and gets you there faster — using patented technology to calculate the best route in real-time.
Without those patents, other apps could easily copy these features. Instead, Google protects their hard work — and keeps improving faster than the competition.
Final Thoughts
The lesson for any business?
If you invent something valuable — whether it’s a new app, a product, a logo, or even a customer process — you need to protect it. Otherwise, competitors can and will copy you.
Need Help Protecting Your Innovations?
At IP Solved, we help businesses protect their inventions, brands, and ideas. From patents to trade marks, we make IP simple, practical, and focused on your business goals.
Get in touch with IP Solved today for an IP health check or a confidential chat about your protection strategy.