Is Web Scraping Legal?

fairytale4y ago· 2 in thread

Why shouldn't it be legal?

When you think a bit better about it, it's about the same as regular web browsing. Just automated or scripted.

I don't think there is much that can be done to fully prevent it either, so.

Wasn't half of weev's charge for unauthorized access related to him scripting up automated GET requests? It's not clear to me that it is definitely legal IANAL

ebb_earl_co4y ago

> ... it's about the same as regular web browsing.

Is this how youtube-dl was able to get out of the DMCA takedown? By saying that it's just acting on the links in the public HTML of YouTube?

Cypher4y ago· 2 in thread

Is note taking piracy?

whoomp123424y ago

depends on the note that you are taking.

is it ethical to use a spyglass and take note of someones combinations to the lock for entry of their home?

goatcode4y ago

You wouldn't download a house!

kdtop4y ago· 1 in thread

I found the article overall useful. It seems to me that this issue is still not completely resolved, esp world-wide. The author gives disclaimer that they are not a lawyer, and then give what seems like their opinions. They give a scattering of references to court cases. But it seems they could have done a better job of giving proof for their claims. (UPDATE: The latter part of the article does better than the first.)

mnmkngOP4y ago

The author here. I actually am a lawyer. I just wanted to make it clear that I'm not "your" lawyer and therefore can't give advice on your specific use-case. Thanks for feedback. Might want to clarify that.

Havoc4y ago

Not super excited about this reaches very broad conclusions about legality while really only considering two jurisdictions - US and EU.

Is Web Scraping Legal? (opens in new tab)

Is Web Scraping Legal? (opens in new tab)

16 comments

16 comments