Court Rules Against MAPPS in QBS Lawsuit

The geo-related web is somewhat abuzz this week-end with the news that the judge in the MAPPS v. USA lawsuit has ruled against MAPPS in a summary judgement that "plaintiffs lack the requisite standing to maintain this action."

All Points Blog had the news as it broke, and offered some analysis after reading the judge's decision (PDF).

The news is posted on the web sites of several GIS-related organizations, such as the Association of American Geographers and the GIS Certification Institute. Both had opposed MAPPS in the lawsuit.

There is a statement from several professional organizations that had opposed MAPPS in the lawsuit (AAG, GISCI, GITA, UCGIS, and URISA) applauding the decision, saying "ruled against special interest groups seeking to strictly limit government contracting for mapping and GIS activities."

MAPPS itself has issued a statement indicating that it intends to continue to pursue the matter:

By ruling on process, the Court did not address the legal merits and policy issues of the case as presented by MAPPS and its co-plaintiffs, which means the question of QBS applicability to mapping is unresolved and leaves the door open to further litigation.

Because the decision was announced on a Friday afternoon, reaction may continue to surface over the next few days and into the next week.