Legal Question in Business Law in Minnesota

Using Other Companies Public Info 2 Create A Niche Market Product

I know of a company in the

transportation industry that posts all

the locations where they do business

online for anyone to view.

I have an idea to create a book-like

directory not as a reference for this

information (since it's already

available online), but as a tool to help

people more accurately locate a

location closer to them quickly. It

would be similar to Google's phone

searching for nearby restaurants, etc.

Mine would be a textual/visual

directory (book/atlas) of nearby

businesses where this company

operates in the entire US.

Is this legal?

Can I take any company's ''locations''

information and create a book that

helps people find a location near

them faster and sell it?

Thank you.


Asked on 3/26/09, 9:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Anderson Anderson Business Law LLC

Re: Using Other Companies Public Info 2 Create A Niche Market Product

Using the company's name, logo, etc. raises TM protection issues.

I would need more information on the functionality of the directory, but if you are selling the info or charging access to it, you may run into legal obstacles.

One solution would be to obtain permission for use of their IP proctected information.

Call or email for assistance.

Read more
Answered on 3/26/09, 10:28 pm


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