Is copying a for sale ad legal?

intranix

I recently listed a car for sale on gumtree.com, which has since sold, and i've removed the ad.

Ive received calls since, and told them it's sold. Then I wondered where they had seen the ad, as I had removed it.

So I googled the number I used, and friday-ad.co.uk have copied the ad, word for word, my phone number, my pictures. Clearly they are trying to make their paid ads site look busier than it really is, by copying content.

I'm quite annoyed really, as I have no way to remove the ad, other than to get in contact with them, a waste of my time.

I'm wondering though, is this actually legal? surely the content belongs to me or gumtree - and isnt free to copy as seen fit.

anyone?

marlot

Gumtree might have an agreement to let them scrape the ads. Or they may not - and might be looking for evidence against friday-ad. I'd let gumtree know - they may want to take action.

cybergibbons

They have done this before with a business ad we had placed in another paper, yet they copied it and added mistakes.

Quentin

intranix wrote: »

I'm quite annoyed really, as I have no way to remove the ad, other than to get in contact with them, a waste of my time.

Although irritating now, you wouldn't be taking that attitude had you sold via this extra "free" ad!

Just spend a bit of time now contacting them (easier than continually wasting your time answering phone calls from buyers!)

cyclonebri1

Check out Gumtree's terms and conditions, you may have agreed unwittingly, but as a above a phone call should clear it, at least you sold the car;)

[Deleted User]

I've just had a look on that friday-ad site. I selected my town from the list on the left, but it's still showing adverts nationally, not just the ones in my area. :rotfl:

I hate spammy type sites like that.

Strider590

You should remove or break the link in the OP, your giving them free advertising.

Those sites are designed to appeal to and lure in technophobes who can't tell a dodgy site when they see one.

intranix

OK THanks, removed the link

Looking at gumtrees terms of service, it says:

Using Gumtree
As a condition of your use of Gumtree you agree that you will not:
[...]
- copy, modify, or distribute any other person's content without their consent;
- use any robot spider, scraper or other automated means to access Gumtree and collect content for any purpose without our express written permission;
- harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including email addresses, without their consent;
[...]

intranix

Quentin wrote: »

Although irritating now, you wouldn't be taking that attitude had you sold via this extra "free" ad!

I know what you're saying, but that doesn't make it right

NeverAgain_2

As the publisher, Gumtree will assume copyright of the ad, in the same way MSE assume copyright of the posts on here - see 'Forum etiquette' on the righthand side of this page.

I suspect Gumtree are being paid a tiny amount per ad by the other site for permission to use it.

Gumtree is the place to complain to, if anyone's copyright is being breached, it is theirs.

hartcjhart

strange that friday ad didnt contact you first,they have done it a load of times with me when I advertise on gumtree, basically they call me up and ask if I would like it put on their site for free:T