directory site

do i need permission to list local businesses?

[brdwlsh]

i live in a fairly populated city--about 250,000. in 4-6 months i would like to launch a site that lists all, or most, of the businesses in my city. there are several sites out there that do just this, except they are difficult to navigate and often-times buggy. basically it would be like the yellow pages on the internet.(not my tag line)

i dont expect to make much money from this venture, i'll only charge for graphic ads that link to websites. all other links to websites will be at least one more click away. my intention is to meet clients who are interested in having sites designed, or maintained. if the pagerank is good, it would be nice to link back to my homesite as well.

do i need permission from each company/store/establishment to post their information on my site?

[ukgimp]

Just do it. I doubt many if any will complain. If they do then remove them, their loss. :)

[plan]

Maybe you should think that through again.

It looks conducive to promote someone business for free, but by adding the CompanyName, CompanyLogo or even the CompanyDetails may lead to legal action. (not mentioned the Copyright)

Selecting the category for the Company (even right category) shuffles the responsibility (of possible customers reactions of any kind) on your shoulders.
So you might face an accusation of changing Company’s market segment / target.
This more likely giving the company an excuses of their own failures and it may end up in nasty law suit.

I suggest to send an e-mail to the ovner with possibility of free promotion or a smart e-mail with „unsubscribe link“. It looks spamy, and I dont know if it is still possible in the USA, but you might find it helpful for subsequent action.

plan

[too much information]

I did something similar with no problems. What I typically do is add links to my database, then write them telling them the link is up and if they would like me to make any changes to it to just let me know.

(I also ask for a recip. if they don't mind, but tell them that it isn't required for them to be listed in my directory)

I think it would be pretty hard for someone to take you to court for directing people to their business even if you used their logo image. After all you are using it to point to them and saying "This is their logo, this is their link".

[brdwlsh]

thanks for the replies.

i think i'll try the 'unsubscribe' idea, except i will call it something like 'exclude my business' instead. subscribe implies that something may be owed, and i don't think anyone wants to be 'excluded'.

as far as copyrighted material, i will have to add a disclaimer.

(if i actually go through with this--i thinks it's a good promotional tool--great way to meet clients.)

[lukasz]

answering plan's concerns.
I didnt ask Google to list me in their directory yet they listed me. They use my name, my copyrighted text on their page and even earn money from displaying my info. They even copied my page into their computer(cache).
Do I have right to sue them?
Yes.
Will I win?
No
However I can ask them to remove my page from the index.
And that would be my advice to you. Make it possible to remove listing, but dont make it to easy because competitors will try to remove each other.

[NeedScripts]

I would add those business listing without any worry, however I would still make few sure ::

1) Even unknowingly you are not flaming anyone.
2) If possible fire an email letting them know that their listing is added (hence telling them of your site, allowing them to modify their listing and even giving them a option to remove it from your site)
3) Setup a system where they can remove their listing from your directory if they wish to do so.(But make it varifiable that businesses can remove *their* listings only)

Check out :: [digital-law-online.com...] It might not be directly related, but can still be helpful. :)

Also, being listed in your directory would mean free marketing for them. I don't see a reason or a way for them to get on to you, however make sure that # 3 is very clear within the help section of your web site.

Hope this helps.

NS