[zeugma]

Rand McNally maps used to include non-existent streets and alleys on their maps as proof that another map maker had infringed their copyrights in their maps. . .

That's actually pretty common in the map-making world, and is not, by any means unique to Rand McNally.

These days I don't really see the point, since the vast majority of data for street maps is available for free download from public domain sources derived from government information.

[Swordmaker]

That's actually pretty common in the map-making world, and is not, by any means unique to Rand McNally

I know, they all do it for the same reason. That's why I included the other types of sources to show it's a common practice.

[Swordmaker]

Rand McNally was just the most commonly infringed copyright and faked of all the map makers.