21 Dec
1998
21 Dec
'98
12:38 a.m.
> On
> line auctions are here to stay and they open a whole new area of
> opportunity (as this list knows all too well)
As soon as you start trying to do anything with the
results (like sell them),
eBay (or whoever) will be quick to point out that they own the data, and you
aren't allowed to use it for commercial purposes without a license.
They don't own the data. Data is still not owned by anybody. As
soon as a specific fact is published, it is free to be used. What
they own is the copyright to _their_ reprensentation of this data
on in _their_ publications. So everybody is free to read the final
prices of eBay items and compile a list (or book). You don't need
any 'licence' to use them, as long as the compilaton is your work
and not taken without further rework other than beautifying.
Its the same as with compilations of pricelists of other auction
houses: Most (larger) auction houses compile their own list and
sell them, or sell a second edition of the auction catalogue with
prices, but magazines and specialized publishing companies also
compile lists but without any licence fee, since it is not based
on any publishing of the auction house.
Gruss
H.
--
Ich denke, also bin ich, also gut
HRK