You've just found Google's business model !

Seriously though, this is better done by locals who knows the place than by some Google minions.

I think the business model will be selling it to famous landmarks and malls, who have to do it for brand reasons (and then trickle down on the famous scale). See the examples, Burj Khalifa (big ugly tower), Everest, Grand Canyon, Venice, highly touristic places.

Expect Eiffel tower, Liberty Island, not beautiful "treks".

> You've just found Google's business model !

This is essentially correct. Google makes money via providing access to content created by other's.

Try "Who Owns the Future" by Jaron Lanier. It's an interesting read.

Its like they are saying "You are going there anyway, why not take a few pictures for us".

I think they will post your copyright text somewhere in some corner, giving you some pixels of fame.

So essentially asking for idiots to give them stuff they will profit from for free...

If you look at the form, it seems they are looking for resorts and outfitters to document their local trails - people who have a vested interest in having more information to show customers.

How does Google profit from Street View?

A company profits (or intends to) from what it does, even if they don't directly charge for it. At the least, it adds value to their brand.

Of course it's even better here: Street View is part of maps which is a real business for Google, and they even added ads to map searches recently. It's also part of the Android maps offering.

Plus they get to keep the data anyway, so they'll eventually use those for AR, Google Glasses, and what have you. Oh, and the GPS data recorded by the Street View equipment also add data to regular maps and fix mapping inconsistencies.

I think the idea is that organizations with a vested interest in the success of this concept are going to help them, such as tourist organization. That could be a win-win.