Legal question: comparing competitors' prices

[nicky]

Question: Am I safe legal-wise to compare prices of other competitors?

You know how Progessive Auto Insurance offers their visitors the ability to compare policy prices with other leading auto insurers on their site? Well that's what I do on my website with other web developers. I had a complaint from one of the competitors though, and I just wanted to make sure I'm not messing with any legal issues in case this gets ugly. Technically I don't have to ask for their permission to display the prices they on their website into a chart on mine, right? 'Cause even without the chart I could up to someone on the street and be like, "Hey! My price for this service is so-and-so dollars and that competitor's and this much!"

[Deacon Frost]

Originally Posted by nicky

Question: Am I safe legal-wise to compare prices of other competitors?

You know how Progessive Auto Insurance offers their visitors the ability to compare policy prices with other leading auto insurers on their site? Well that's what I do on my website with other web developers. I had a complaint from one of the competitors though, and I just wanted to make sure I'm not messing with any legal issues in case this gets ugly. Technically I don't have to ask for their permission to display the prices they on their website into a chart on mine, right? 'Cause even without the chart I could up to someone on the street and be like, "Hey! My price for this service is so-and-so dollars and that competitor's and this much!"

From what I remember, you cannot slander them, nor present false data. However, you are more than allowed to tell your customers what the competitors EXACT prices are. You can only name them if you're not telling lies, and things like that.

Don't quote me, but that's what I remember reading ... I think you're safe.

[nicky]

That's good lol. 'Cause I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I'm not bad mouthing them, I'm just stating facts. Maybe I should add a disclaimer to be safe lol

[oracleguy]

Originally Posted by nicky

That's good lol. 'Cause I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I'm not bad mouthing them, I'm just stating facts. Maybe I should add a disclaimer to be safe lol

You also might want to add a disclaimer on there that says something like: "Prices taken from <company name>'s website on <date you accessed it>" so in case their data changes your information isn't wrong since that's what the prices were on that date.

[gnomeontherun]

Man, oracleguy, I was all ready to say that and then I read your post...

You can always quote information and details that are freely available, but yes put a note when and where you got it. There is nothing they can do if you put the data together if its available online (and there is no disclaimer against doing this).

I would also consider removing someone from the list who might be upset if they really pushed it. No reason to put this into some court room. I would think you could find another person to pick on in their place

[nicky]

I understand where you're coming from though I'm not picking on anyone lol. But thank you all for the information. I'm going to go update the prices and add a disclaimer now. =]