Legal help on site advertising services in directory

[danjames]

Hi all


I'm new to this forum, and hope someone can help.


I'm looking to build a website based community. Where people joining can get a profile and a range of services in the UK


I plan to have a directory and advertise and review sites, for example model agencies.

Few things I would like to know,


1.Is it ok to put model agencies in my directory using their logo to advertise their page without permission? Or do they have to give me permission or ask to be in this directory?

Really the same applies to any business like training courses for example.


2.Say after 3 months I have lots of users, for example I have 1000 users. I may decide to become an agency myself, or even offer my own courses similar to those I've previously advertised in my directory……Is this perfectly fine and legal to do?


3.If one of these companies I have advertised post on their social media accounts etc., recommending my site to their customers as it contains useful information (and at that point no competition). And in the future I became competition to them, could they sue me by saying I always knew I would become competition to them?


4.Does it make matter worse if I asked them for a shout out rather than off their own back? or does it not matter either way?


I would like to point out that my site is completely free to join and atm the only revenue I would make would be through paid ads

[wales01man]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

Logos are copyright and you should ask permission from the owner

[danjames]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

How about if dont use logo, just their name with a weblink and details.

Also how about the other factors mentioned?

- - - Updated - - -

Logos are copyright and you should ask permission from the owner

How about if dont use logo, just their name with a weblink and details.

Also how about the other factors mentioned?

[Amethyst]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

Most companies would be happy to feature in a free directory directing potential customers to their services, if you are genuinely building a resource for people to find those services. It'd be a good idea to give a few likely firms a call and ask them if they'd like to be included in your free directory, test the water and go from there. Make it clear on your site that you will remove any firm who doesn't wish to be listed on request ( some might not want more business or just consider themselves 'exclusive' etc ).

If you do then decide to set up on your own, there's nothing to stop you still having the directory to others offering the services, or setting a subdirectory website up for your stuff leaving the useful directory where it is.

[danjames]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

Most companies would be happy to feature in a free directory directing potential customers to their services, if you are genuinely building a resource for people to find those services. It'd be a good idea to give a few likely firms a call and ask them if they'd like to be included in your free directory, test the water and go from there. Make it clear on your site that you will remove any firm who doesn't wish to be listed on request ( some might not want more business or just consider themselves 'exclusive' etc ).

If you do then decide to set up on your own, there's nothing to stop you still having the directory to others offering the services, or setting a subdirectory website up for your stuff leaving the useful directory where it is.

Hi Amethyst

thanks for response.
So you reckon contact all companies i wish to add in directory and ask if they wish to be in the directory.
Or just add them, and contact them saying we have added you to our directory if you wish to be removed, please contact us?

And as mentioned even tho for example in my directory there are say a list of 50 model agencies,
It is ok that I too become a modelling agency with such directory still active.

Id like to give my users all relevent information and optional agencies they can join, but having the option of accepting work from myself

[EXC]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

So you reckon contact all companies i wish to add in directory and ask if they wish to be in the directory.
Or just add them, and contact them saying we have added you to our directory if you wish to be removed, please contact us?

I think what Amethyst is saying is give a sample number of companies a call to find out the general reaction. Strictly speaking you can list any information that's in the public domain (except for logos) but calling a few companies first will give you a feel for how they'd react.

And as mentioned even tho for example in my directory there are say a list of 50 model agencies,
It is ok that I too become a modelling agency with such directory still active.

I'd be a bit careful about that myself, it would depend on what information you're providing on the directory. If you're incuding services/prices etc and then including yourself in the directory then in compromises the impartiality of the 'directory'.

[Amethyst]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

I don't see any legal issue with that ( although I'm by no means a lawyer) there are many businesses which have a 'if we can't help you check out other firms' ... I think give a few a call to test the water.... then set it up, start getting your traffic up and then slowly work through your list giving firms a call .... keep a track on traffic going through to the listed sites and potentially later consider a subs model for featured adverts etc.

[danjames]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

I think what Amethyst is saying is give a sample number of companies a call to find out the general reaction. Strictly speaking you can list any information that's in the public domain (except for logos) but calling a few companies first will give you a feel for how they'd react.



I'd be a bit careful about that myself, it would depend on what information you're providing on the directory. If you're incuding services/prices etc and then including yourself in the directory then in compromises the impartiality of the 'directory'.

[MENTION=332]EXC[/MENTION]
So what your saying is if in the directory i list their services and prices or commission, then I have my own agency listed in my own directory, but listing my prices or commission is the best, basically saying "look this is why we are so better" etc

but listing them in catorgies with their name and just link to their website, no other information, leave that for user to decide, then that is ok

[Amethyst]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

If you have a look on Wikivorce - they are a business selling divorce packages through a particular law firm. they have a list of their ''competitiors'' as a 'comparison' ->http://www.wikivorce.com/divorce/Leg...omparison.html - just by way of example.

[EXC]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

@EXC
So what your saying is if in the directory i list their services and prices or commission, then I have my own agency listed in my own directory, but listing my prices or commission is the best, basically saying "look this is why we are so better" etc

but listing them in catorgies with their name and just link to their website, no other information, leave that for user to decide, then that is ok

In short yes.

[wales01man]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

When we set up a website years ago selling products we contacted all the companies whose products we were going to sell asking permission to use their logos and reproduce website material some gave permission only and others supplied more codes links and other info some of course did not reply we still used their logos and never got any trouble.
if you are going to set up in completion be sure to get further advice

[danjames]

Re: Legal help on site advertising services in directory

thanks for help, would there be a specific type of lawyer to get such advice relevent to what im doing