Pulling information from other websites... allowed?

Are there any legal issues with say... pulling job listings from Monster or C-builder or pulling homes from Homes*com and posting that info on a website?

That content it out there and I've seen scripts that can pull it... but is there any problem with taking it and hosting on your own landingpage or posting it on CL?

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It all depends, are you doing this as a affiliate of theirs? or are you doing this just to have their content on your website? You should be safe if you give them credit and let your visitors know where the content is coming from.

What exactly are you intentions to do with the content from other sites?

Good question.

I've received numerous "cease and desist" letters from attorney offices and threats from other companies and associations for using their images/logos. One attorney went so far as to include copies of the copywrite documents, patents, etc. and "demanded" that if I didn't respond in a specified number of days they would sue and seek major monetary damages due to their client for me hurting their brand, image and business name. I pretty much ignore them all but I do remove stuff and comply if I feel they can have a valid case against me. Ignoring them isn't a good idea though overall because silence in the court of law is considered a testimony of guilt. I ignore em all though, catch me if you can.

I've got one site where I pretty much took information like you're talking about, massaged it and presented it on my site. The owner of the authority site, the site where I took the info from, contacted me with all types of threats, lawsuits, blah, blah, blah. Long story short, many people and companies point at their "copyright protection" but many are unaware of this thing called "fair use" that allows others to pretty much ignore the copyright. Take a look at "fair use" to see if what you're trying to do falls in that category.

Search for "fair use" in Wiki for more details.

I would personally play it safe and give credit where it is due. However, research and see if the sites you mentioned allow what you are trying to do. Some sites have API's that allow you to pull their data and present it on your own site.

twinglet said:

what are you talkin about? silence is the only good thing you can do without a lawyer at least if you are not 100% sure what you are talkin about..

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Blacks Law dictionary states that silence "in the court of law" is considered an admission of guilt. Check it out for yourself.