Can Testimonials be shared?

misterwrecker · 06-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Hello guys, I was wondering if it is ok to borrow testimonials from another site that is discussing the same product. I am not saying using all the testimonials by maybe one. I would put it in quotes and put the site where the testimonial came from. If this is legal just let me know, thanks.

CashTactics · 06-08-2009, 11:40 AM

This is a good question. And I don't know the exact answer but this is what I would do.

Contact the original site owner if you can OR contact the person that gave the testimonial. Sometimes you'll see a website or something that might allow you to get to the person. Try googling their name if anything.

Once you get ahold of them just ask. Most people would love to say yes. That just means more fame for them.

If your having trouble finding testimonials find a friend that can give you one.

Just my thoughts.
Kris

dvduval · 06-08-2009, 12:44 PM

If credit is given to the other site where the testimonial is found, and the testimonial is not more than a couple of sentences, I would at least say that you would be upholding a similar standard that news agencies use, and that you would most likely not face a big problem, so long as you weren't doing this on a large scale.

Andyhenry · 06-08-2009, 12:46 PM

I would say NO!!!!!

If I wrote a testimonial for a friend who was promoting a product and then saw my testimonial on other random peoples sites without my permission - I would be pissed.

So I say you should use peoples statements without their permission.

Andy

mikemcmillan · 06-08-2009, 01:16 PM

I agree 100% with Andy. Good testimonials are an important part of a web page. One of the things looked at in copyright infringement is whether the material taken from you without permission could have a negative impact on the future sales of your product. Taking someone else's testimonials and using them could definitely persuade visitors to buy from you and that could impact the sales from the other site.

Citing where the testimonials came from means nothing. Unless you got permission from BOTH the site owner and the person giving the testimonial I think you run a huge risk. Just my opinion.

06-08-2009, 11:25 AM	#1
misterwrecker Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dirty Jersey, USA. Posts: 568 Thanks: 47 Thanked 58 Times in 40 Posts Contact Info	Can Testimonials be shared? Hello guys, I was wondering if it is ok to borrow testimonials from another site that is discussing the same product. I am not saying using all the testimonials by maybe one. I would put it in quotes and put the site where the testimonial came from. If this is legal just let me know, thanks.

06-08-2009, 11:40 AM	#2
CashTactics Kris Trujillo Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 134 Thanks: 3 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Can Testimonials be shared? This is a good question. And I don't know the exact answer but this is what I would do. Contact the original site owner if you can OR contact the person that gave the testimonial. Sometimes you'll see a website or something that might allow you to get to the person. Try googling their name if anything. Once you get ahold of them just ask. Most people would love to say yes. That just means more fame for them. If your having trouble finding testimonials find a friend that can give you one. Just my thoughts. Kris
	Cashtactics.net - Strategic Marketing at Warp Speeds!

06-08-2009, 12:44 PM	#3
dvduval phpLD master War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 2,970 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 44 Thanked 307 Times in 259 Posts Social Networking	Re: Can Testimonials be shared? If credit is given to the other site where the testimonial is found, and the testimonial is not more than a couple of sentences, I would at least say that you would be upholding a similar standard that news agencies use, and that you would most likely not face a big problem, so long as you weren't doing this on a large scale.
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06-08-2009, 12:46 PM	#4
Andyhenry Beware - Straight Talker War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9,265 Blog Entries: 25 Thanks: 1,180 Thanked 4,492 Times in 1,497 Posts Social Networking	Re: Can Testimonials be shared? I would say NO!!!!! If I wrote a testimonial for a friend who was promoting a product and then saw my testimonial on other random peoples sites without my permission - I would be pissed. So I say you should use peoples statements without their permission. Andy
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06-08-2009, 01:16 PM	#5
mikemcmillan Mike McMillan War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MI Posts: 1,302 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 861 Thanked 1,019 Times in 389 Posts Social Networking	Re: Can Testimonials be shared? I agree 100% with Andy. Good testimonials are an important part of a web page. One of the things looked at in copyright infringement is whether the material taken from you without permission could have a negative impact on the future sales of your product. Taking someone else's testimonials and using them could definitely persuade visitors to buy from you and that could impact the sales from the other site. Citing where the testimonials came from means nothing. Unless you got permission from BOTH the site owner and the person giving the testimonial I think you run a huge risk. Just my opinion.