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.
1 Answer from Attorneys
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.