Can you sell a database on eBay if you have compiled it yourself?

TUS

Can't quite work out if this is allowed. The database could be in XLS, MSB, SQL format ... whatever really.

The database would have been compiled by myself over many many hours of scouring for the data. I'm not sure if the data itself could be considered owned by anyone (don't want to divulge too much RE: what the data is - but it's basically "names").

Any ideas?

Pembroke

As list brokers sell lists of names and addresses to direct mailers all the time I would think it would be okay providing you stay within the rules of Ebay in that you are not allowed to sell 'intangibles' so you would have to find a physical means of delivering the database, so on CD DVD etc. The only caveat on that is that list brokers tend to deal in names that have been obtained by people 'opting in' to have stuff sent to them and you may have to look at that aspect.

Also if you store peoples names I would think you would have to register as a data controller under the data protection act if you haven't already done so.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection.aspx

TUS

Pembroke wrote: »

As list brokers sell lists of names and addresses to direct mailers all the time I would think it would be okay providing you stay within the rules of Ebay in that you are not allowed to sell 'intangibles' so you would have to find a physical means of delivering the database, so on CD DVD etc. The only caveat on that is that list brokers tend to deal in names that have been obtained by people 'opting in' to have stuff sent to them and you may have to look at that aspect.

Also if you store peoples names I would think you would have to register as a data controller under the data protection act if you haven't already done so.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection.aspx

Thanks for the reply. Apologies, I wasn't very clear in my OP - it's not peoples names, it's names of particular items & their specs.

Pembroke

TUS wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Apologies, I wasn't very clear in my OP - it's not peoples names, it's names of particular items & their specs.

Well I can't see there being a problem, there are loads of independent comparison websites around for products that list lots of what must be copyrighted names without I would think having to get permission from all the manufacturers.

Presumably you have some sort of specialised niche that the data will be useful off line and not grow stale within too shorter time frame but would still need paid for updating on a fairly regular basis?

soolin

Pembroke wrote: »

Well I can't see there being a problem, there are loads of independent comparison websites around for products that list lots of what must be copyrighted names without I would think having to get permission from all the manufacturers.

Presumably you have some sort of specialised niche that the data will be useful off line and not grow stale within too shorter time frame but would still need paid for updating on a fairly regular basis?

I would not be quite so certain that it was allowed. The comparison sites do not 'sell' the information, I would research the laws on copyright and selling such info for personal gain before I put any real effort into this venture.

For instance, what if the data is wrong or out of date, would the seller then have responsibility for it?