RSS feeds and legal doubts

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by mickscool, Jul 24, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hi Friends,
    I want to display a complete scoreboard on my forums based non-commercial website through RSS feeds.This website provides rss feeds for score updates i.e:

    http://www.cricinfo.com/rss/livescores.xml

    But as you will see, they just provide one line headline and when you click it,it takes you to their website. But I want to display the full scorecard as displayed on their website.So, I read the rss feed,and parse the links in it and create the complete scoreboard.

    My question is, is this legal??? Can I do this??? I am willing to provide their name all around the scoreboard,but only thing i need it complete scoreboard,not just one link.

    The terms and conditions on their website states this:
    
    Terms and conditions
    We encourage the use of Cricinfo.com cricket RSS feeds for personal use in a news reader or as part of a non-commercial web site or blog. Whenever Cricinfo or Wisden content is posted on your Web site, we require a credit such as "Cricket headlines from Cricinfo.com", and we reserve the right to require that you cease distributing Cricinfo.com content.
    	  	
    You can also add a link to Cricinfo from your website via our new Link to us page.
    
    Code (markup):
    Please help.
    Thanks
     
    mickscool, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  2. bluegrass special

    bluegrass special Peon

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    #2
    It depends on exactly what iformation you are posting. If you are only posting scores, then there is not a copyright issue. Scores are facts and as such cannot be copyrighted. However, it could be argued that you are using bandwidth without permission and they could block you from the feed.

    When you say non-commercial do you mean that you don't have ads or that the intent is not for revenue?

    They do not stipulate whether you can modify their feed. However, the terms do suggest that they are fine with using the content as long as you link to them. Your best bet would be to contact them and ask.
     
    bluegrass special, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  3. mickscool

    mickscool Active Member

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    #3
    Thanks bluegrass,
    I really appreciate your answer. I did the same,I sent them an email but they have not replied to it and its 2 days now and so I thought of posting it here and asking you guys.

    No,I do have ads on the site,so its not a true non-commercial site.If they don't reply to my email, what do you think I should do??? Should i start using it and just provide a link to them..thats it???

    Thanks
     
    mickscool, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  4. bluegrass special

    bluegrass special Peon

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    #4
    What are you planning on using from the feeds? Just the scores or the content?

    If it is just the scores, then I wouldn't worry about it (you could give a link and say scores provided by...).

    If you are going to use the content, then I would wait for a reply. It is one thing to publish content, it is another to alter content.
     
    bluegrass special, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  5. mickscool

    mickscool Active Member

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    #5
    No,I am planning just to display the scores....thts all...
     
    mickscool, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  6. bluegrass special

    bluegrass special Peon

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    #6
    If it is just the scores, then there is certainly no copyright issue. I also don't think you are obligated to link back to them in this case. Of course, just because you don't have to doesn't mean you shouldn't.
     
    bluegrass special, Jul 24, 2007 IP
  7. godmode

    godmode Well-Known Member

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    #7
    I would say you can use it with proper credit as suggested by them.

    however, why dont you check with them if you can parse the links which are not available by default?
     
    godmode, Jul 24, 2007 IP