Licensing Law Society Forms?

[Guest]

Can anyone help me with the legality of licensing the law society TA forms?

They are saying we need to pay for using them, however we are not a solicitor, we are simply developing an app to help solicitors get their forms compelted. Would the solictor not already have a license for these forms anyway?

[R0b]

The Law Society will own those documents and will be protected by copyright laws so you need their permission to use the forms in the way you are intending. You don't get a right to use the forms as and how you please, and to answer your question about whether solicitors have a licence to use the forms, that depends on the licence terms granted by the LS. I'm sure the LS (nor would any reasonably minded company) would not allow use of their forms for a commercial purpose without payment.

Have you read the LS' legal notice around use of materials? That might be your starting point.

[Steven66]

Hi Rob,

thanks for replying.

I’m happy to pay for the license, just don’t want to do it unnecessarily.

The forms are not being used by ourselves, we are simply providing a means for a solicitor to generate the forms digitally.

My logic is that the solicitor has already got permission, so whether they produce them through my app, or manually, would that mater?

[R0b]

I think you need to do a little research on intellectual property rights, particularly copyright law and licences generally.

How have you obtained the TA forms? As far as I'm aware, the forms are obtained from a commercial subscription although I know the LS has specimen forms on their website.

The LS website clearly states that material on displayed on their website should not be used for commercial purposes without their consent. Even if the solicitor has permission to use the forms, that doesn't necessarily mean you have the same permission unless the LS has consented or otherwise given there approval. Assuming you have explained to the LS the purpose and if they have responded by telling you that you need to pay them, then aside from possibly being sued by the LS, there's nothing you can do about it but to agree a price.

If I was you, I would be looking to charge that back to the solicitor as part of costs if your contractual arrangement allows or getting the solicitor to obtain the permission on your behalf.

[Steven66]

Hi Rob,

Yes I see what you are saying, and your probably right.

We are in early talks with them so I will contiue down that path and pay the license.

Thanks for your help.