Legal question re-the RSS Feeder

[DoctorWatsOn]

Just been testing the RSS Feeder taking information from my local paper (they'll hate that - lol), but it's publishing the full news story with the link at the bottom.

I assume this is how it's set-up their end as taking a local news feed from the BBC only publishes one line, which is next to useless. Talk about from one extreme to another!

So, considering my understanding of 'fair usage' you should only publish part of an article/news story with a link to the full one, if I use the local paper's feed am I leaving myself open to legal action?

 

[RobParker]

They should state somewhere the terms of using their feed. Most say something like "not for commerical use" which is vague but suggests you shouldn't be using it to display their stories on your site with your advertising.

 

[DoctorWatsOn]

They should state somewhere the terms of using their feed. Most say something like "not for commerical use" which is vague but suggests you shouldn't be using it to display their stories on your site with your advertising.

Thanks for the fast reply, I've checked their terms:

4. No Transmission. No part of the Website or the contents thereof may be reproduced on or transmitted to or stored in any other web site or other form of electronic retrieval system.

My forums will not display ads, but I see no "not for commerical use" comment, just looks like a blanket ban, so without being able to claim 'fair useage', that's that idea buggered.

What a pain, because their what's on feed, which I don't want, only displays the first line, whereas the news feed displays the whole story - grr.

 

[RobParker]

This is the one for the Sky Sports feed: Our RSS feeds are entirely free of charge for non-commercial use. if you wish to discuss any commercial content or data feed requirements you may have, please contact us.

 

[Floris]

If they don't want redistribution, they should learn about rss feeds and what they can be used for. Then realize they should cut the {content} down to what they consider acceptable fair-use.

 

[DoctorWatsOn]

If they don't want redistribution, they should learn about rss feeds and what they can be used for. Then realize they should cut the {content} down to what they consider acceptable fair-use.

True, but this paper is part of Jonhston Press and whilst they may be one of the biggest publishers of local and regional newspapers in the UK & Ireland they are useless when it come to websites - believe me, I used to work for them.

 

[Paul B]

From what I can see, reading their terms, even the headline isn't allowed to be reproduced so you can't use their feed at all:

4. No Transmission. No part of the Website or the contents thereof may be reproduced on or transmitted to or stored in any other web site or other form of electronic retrieval system.

 

[DoctorWatsOn]

From what I can see, reading their terms, even the headline isn't allowed to be reproduced so you can't use their feed at all:

That's how I am reading it too, although, of course, you could claim 'fair usage' if the stupid feed only sent a short bit of the story instead of the whole thing.

 

[Paul B]

You could always give them a call and ask?

 

[DoctorWatsOn]

You could always give them a call and ask?

Believe me that would get me nowhere.

They see my site as a threat, despite the fact I’ve not started to commercialise it yet, because I used to work in their advertising department they know what a clever fecker I am in that respect, they just haven’t work out what I am up to and what my plans are – despite them asking various people I know.

I just thought it would be funny, if somewhat cheeky, if I could have got away with using their feed to my advantage – all is fair in love, war & business.

 

[Floris]

Sounds like you know the answer and need to find a better paper that is more liberal with their content and understands modern technologies and modern media. GOOD LUCK

 

[DoctorWatsOn]

Sounds like you know the answer and need to find a better paper that is more liberal with their content and understands modern technologies and modern media. GOOD LUCK

Sadly all the local towns' weekly newspapers within my county (West Sussex) are owned by the same group, there's no competition, well except a regional daily paper published just over the border in East Sussex, but that mainly focuses on the city of Brighton & Hove and has little from this area.

Plus, I used to work for them too, so they are also wary of me.