I'm going to create a mashup web-application and I guess some mashup sources won't be glad I use their data (although links to sources will be provided). What are the general formal/informal rules of such applications creating?
+1
A:
The rules will vary with the source.
Have you asked the various sources how they would feel?
Have you looked to see if their web site has any explicit statement about copyright status or anything like a Creative Commons License?
Does the site have an API you are using, or are you scraping the data? API implies they want people to make mashups. If you are scraping then things are not nearly as clear.
Do you have to pay/signup to access these sites? If you are scraping data from the site using a login you had to acquire, then sharing that data with the rest of the internet for free, that might not be cool.
You mention that you already think the sources will be mad at you - why is that?
Peter Recore
2010-08-02 19:43:49
"You mention that you already think the sources will be mad at you - why is that?" Because we were erroneously taught that ideas can be owned (and stolen) at a young age?
Nathan
2010-08-02 19:55:05
@Nathan, that's true. All information should be made available to everyone. Why don't you show your commitment to the cause by posting your credit card info :)
Peter Recore
2010-08-02 20:01:11
I am pro open source and pro creative commons btw, not some kind of RIAA/AP/MPAA shill who wants to extract royalties from Girl Scouts singing "Happy Birthday". (and yes, girl scout troops have been sued for singing songs at the campfire) But if Idsa suspects he/she might be stepping on someones toes, then the reasons deserve to be explored.
Peter Recore
2010-08-02 20:07:09