Legal Question in Business Law in California

I just created a mobile application that targets local businesses. We have obtained business information through a public directory and now we are listing them on our mobile app without their permission. We then are going to send an email out asking them to claim their business. The service we provide is free but they can always sign up to use more services with us that we charge.

I want to make sure i am allowed to list them without permission since we are obtaining their info through GOOGLE api app that provides us with info.

We are not using their logo, trademarks, or any personal information of theirs. We will use photos obtained by google which they will provide to us.


Asked on 4/30/14, 11:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Perry Law Offices of Charles R. Perry

You are of course allowed to use public information that you lawfully obtain for any lawful purpose. Without reviewing your application, and without reviewing exactly how you obtain the information, it is not possible to say whether your application violates any law.

Be very careful about the use of photos. The fact that they are available on line does not make them yours to use as you want -- there are copyright issues involved. The fact that you obtain them through Google does not mean you can use them as you want, since someone still owns the copyright.

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Answered on 5/01/14, 3:27 am


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