8 replies
I was thinking today, usually not such a good idea for me.

The question I am wondering about is this.

The BBB regularly scrapes websites looking for local businesses in each area.

What the BBB then does is create a business profile which includes the following.

Business entity name
Full address
Phone numbers
Business contact name if available on the site.

The BBB does this all the time without the knowledge, consent or any authorization from the actually business owner.

The BBB does not need any formal complaint or kudos from consumers either, they just do it.

So I am wondering if any one has a perspective on this or might even know if its legal for them to republish this information without consent.

I had a major problem two years ago with my insurance restoration company.

I had formed my business in Georgia but my business model required me to travel to other cities out of state. So I was in Indy for a year and during that time the BBB had scraped my info and created a BBB profile.

Two years later I found myself back in my business home town working.
We kept getting cancellations because our clients thought we were lying about being a local company.

Come to find out they were searching my company on the internet and the Indy BBB profile was showing up and not our Atlanta profile.
#bbb #copyrights
  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    I haven't seen a BBB page, but there is nothing wrong with collecting information and then creating a business directory from it.

    What you describe are facts which are not copyrightable. Ironically, the selection of businesses by the BBB for their profiles is.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      So collecting the information is allowed and republishing the information is not a copy write violation when its published without consent. Hmm. I hate the BBB! lol bunch of scammers anyways.

      OK, so I create a directory title Atlantabusinessesthatsuck.com im safe then. right?

      Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

      I haven't seen a BBB page, but there is nothing wrong with collecting information and then creating a business directory from it.

      What you describe are facts which are not copyrightable. Ironically, the selection of businesses by the BBB for their profiles is.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nightowl
    Of course not. The BBB is simply collecting factual public information and compiling it into a directory.

    If you were to put up that "businesses that suck" website, and then named businesses, you'd be opening yourself to libel suits. It would go beyond just compiling basic business information.

    - Nightowl
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      As long is the content generated on the site was user generated there is no libel risks, btw.

      I just think its presumptuous for the BBB to be creating business listings with out the consent or foreknowledge of the business in the first place.

      Originally Posted by Nightowl View Post

      Of course not. The BBB is simply collecting factual public information and compiling it into a directory.

      If you were to put up that "businesses that suck" website, and then named businesses, you'd be opening yourself to libel suits. It would go beyond just compiling basic business information.

      - Nightowl
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      • Profile picture of the author Rashell
        You should open a complaint with them on "them".

        It's great that your customers are doing due diligence! Too bad the BBB doesn't seem to be.

        Rashell
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    They are simply collecting public data. There is nothing shady about this. Besides, even if it were shady, it's not like you could file a BBB complaint against them
    Signature

    Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

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    • Profile picture of the author Rashell
      Hmmm, I should have added a smiley to the end of my statement. I apologize for being so lax in my communications.

      I wasn't thinking there was anything shady about the BBB compiling the information. I'm just thinking...

      if they're going to gather information for the benefits of consumers they should make sure their information is solid.

      Since they're making it their "business" to offer information for due diligence and doing a crappy job at it... it warrants a "complaint".

      And since they handle that "business" too my wise a** nature kicked in.

      Rashell
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  • Profile picture of the author john17
    This video shows you the BBB grading system. Scary & good to know at the same time. If you pay the BBB $600, you can push your rating to an A pretty easily.

    sounds a little sketchy to me...

    Youtube video:
    Signature

    Start your own Video Sharing Website at VideoSharingEmpire.com

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