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You are here: MacNN Forums > News > Tech News > Monkey Parking creator refuses shutdown order, fights San Francisco

Monkey Parking creator refuses shutdown order, fights San Francisco
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NewsPoster
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Jun 28, 2014, 10:42 AM
 
Startup public parking spot sale app Monkey Parking has vowed to fight the cease-and-desist served onto it earlier this week. The company is claiming that the order is a misinterpretation and invalid use of San Francisco police code, and believes that the model of selling a parking spot that a driver is about to depart is protected by free speech rights.

While issuing the stop order to the company earlier this week, which also demanded Apple retract the still available iOS app, city attorney Dennis Herrera said that the service "creates a predatory private market for public parking spaces that San Franciscans will not tolerate. Worst of all, it encourages drivers to use their mobile devices unsafely -- to engage in online bidding wars while driving."

"Parked users can make some money just by notifying drivers about the time in which they will leave from a spot," CEO Paolo Dobrowolny said. "It just gives our users all they need to be in the right place at the right time when a parking spot is going to become available. As people leave from parking spots every day, we are just making that moment a valuable moment for them, while providing a service to drivers looking for parking."

City Attorney spokesman Matt Dorsey likens the sale of parking spots to the sex trade. "It's like a prostitute saying she's not selling sex -- she's only selling information about her willingness to have sex with you. One could similarly imagine drug dealers avoiding 'intent to sell' charges by merely selling information about nearby illicit drugs that are actually available for free. But until and unless the law changes, their business is plainly illegal in San Francisco."

There are multiple companies offering a parking spot resale app, both charge around $5 for each sale, with the person surrendering the spot receiving $3. The cease-and-desist order promises participants in the auctions a fine of $300, and the company a $2,500 per auction penalty as well. The companies have until July 11 before a lawsuit is started by the city.
( Last edited by NewsPoster; Jul 1, 2014 at 07:49 AM. )
     
prl99
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Jun 28, 2014, 11:15 AM
 
"free speech" Where does this person get this idea from? The parking place isn't theirs to monitor or market. It's time for the Police Dept to monitor these apps and fine some people to stop this activity. What's next? State park sites? Airline reservations and seats (you can usually hold the reservation for 24 hrs and cancel without penalty)? They need to find something else to do.
     
Gazoobee
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Jun 28, 2014, 11:23 AM
 
What a tool. Isn't this app based in Italy? What does he know about US law?
Free speech gives you the right to *say* "give me a dollar and I'll sell you my spot" but it doesn't give yo uthe right to actually sell something that you do not own.
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Jun 28, 2014, 11:36 AM
 
I can't believe you guys have passed on commenting on the prostitution parallel by the city attorney. Classy!
     
ElectroTech
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Jun 28, 2014, 03:03 PM
 
I hope the commercial aspects of this app are destroyed but the idea of helping out your fellow driver to find a spot to park is great. I just don't want courtesy to be put on sale.
     
qazwart
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Jun 29, 2014, 12:47 AM
 
The concern is that this will create a "market" where one does not exist. Will people refuse to leave their space until someone "buys" it from them? Will people hire "parkers" to hold a space until someone buys it? How will this exchange work? If I find someone willing to pay for my parking space, how do I prevent someone else from taking it? Do I have to sit in the car until the driver comes by? Does this mean traffic will be backed up while someone waits for me to pull out? What about the guy who just passed my car because I was waiting for someone? Will they get upset that I was hogging the space?

SF is already working on apps that will point people to vacant parking spaces. (http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/04/21/real-time-parking-availability-info-now-available-for-some-sf-streets/). What this app won't do is allow you to hold the space hostage until someone will pay you for it.
--
     
sibeale1
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Jun 29, 2014, 06:42 AM
 
When I lived in Manhattan in the mid-1970's, it was common for an "entrepreneur" (usually a local doorman) to "own" a street, park "clients'" cars with large spaces between them, but not large enough to fit another car. Then, when another one of his clients showed up, he'd move a car just enough to fit in the new car. When someone left, he's move a car to prevent someone else from parking. I'm sure this practice wasn't legal, but it seemed to be tolerated by the authorities.
     
pottymouth
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Jun 30, 2014, 08:51 AM
 
"helping out your fellow driver"? Seriously? All this app does is screw over the people that don't or can't use it.

Yeah, the rule-breakers and line-cutters will always be a step ahead of those of us that are more neighborly, but I feel good about where I am.
     
Grendelmon
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Jun 30, 2014, 10:24 AM
 
Wow. Read the egotistical garbage they posted on their website:

http://monkeyparkingapp.strikingly.c...-MonkeyParking
( Last edited by Grendelmon; Jun 30, 2014 at 11:29 AM. )
     
just a poster
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Jun 30, 2014, 10:28 AM
 
I shouldn't have to compete with a "professional" for a public parking space.

However,

Download my new App; "Sy-Phon" next time you want gasoline but don't want to pay market prices for it!

...and don't forget to get a copy of; "FreeTheGrocer" an app that helps you co-ordinate mass gatherings at grocery stores to steal food while lessening your chance at getting caught and charged by sheer number!

Or the time-honored, "BanksDon'tNeedIt" which links you to bank teller cameras so that you can time your "transaction" to occur when nobody's there! Talk about "saving" time AND money!
     
Flying Meat
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Jun 30, 2014, 07:09 PM
 
Don't use the software Monkey Parking, and don't pay anyone for access to a metered space. There. Free speech exercised.
     
   
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