How do I know if it is copyright infringement?

If I take information from a website, and make an iPhone app and use that information in my app, but credit the website as a source, am I breaking any laws?

Share |

Answered By: Intellectual Property Center, LLC

possible, depends on the information and if your use if permissible. I would suggest contacting one of your local attorneys to provide an analyses. Good luck.

Answer Applies to: Kansas
Replied: 6/14/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: DANIEL NESBITT

There's not enough detail in your question, and what information you have needs clarification. You should contact and engage an IP attorney, and provide specific details. Nonetheless, use of the copyright of a third party, even if credited, may be an infringement and/or criminal act unless the use falls within certain limited exceptions.

Answer Applies to: Ohio
Replied: 6/10/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Devon & Associates

It depends on what the information is. If it is proprietary information protected by copyright than using it without the owner's permission would be copyright infringement. One thing to look for is whether there is a copyright notice on the work. A copyright notice is an clear indication that someone believes the work is their intellectual property and they are likely to have a copyright registration. You can search the Copyright Office to see if the owner [if you know their name] has a copyright registration issued on the work. If you want to protect yourself from a suit for copyright infringement, I recommend that you consult an intellectual property attorney for an opinion.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 6/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Barton Barton & Plotkin

Probably illegal. Giving credit does not avoid infringement if you copy material from another web site. You need to consult with counsel because otherwise you have risk of a big problem.

Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 6/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Mark S. Hubert PC

It depends on what you took from the website - if it is just information - then NO.

Answer Applies to: Oregon
Replied: 6/9/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.