I have a question regarding is it legal to point to a website that is copyrighted? Is that allowed? Like if you play a video from their site, is that a big no no? I assume it is but I wanted to confirm this. What about info from a site provided to the app user as a convenience so the user does not have to look it up separately? Would that be allowed. I know that if you use pictures in your app that they should be your own pictures and that I fully understand. Any insight on this would be helpful to me. Thanks in advance.

It's just my opinion but I'd ask permission, just in case. I'm no lawyer, and I had a short discussion with another BT member on this, where I was corrected on a couple of points. If the information does not belong to you and it's copyrighted, then by law, without prior permission you're sort of hijacking their proprietary information without their knowledge, even if it's their website. The access is via your app. Throwing a link and having it launch safari external to your app 'might' be ok, but that's still a grey area I have no experience in. I'd ask permission. And if they say no, well, that's the way it goes. But the internet is big enough now to where you can usually find the information in other ways. If the company is big, I'd ask the Public Relations department first. It's their job to make the company look good. Throw in some words and phrases like 'community outreach' and 'positive branding' and stuff. If they can understand that you're not costing them money or grief while making them look good, they'll be a bit more receptive. Just my 2 dollars. It used to be 2 cents, but adjusting for inflation... Cheers! -- Smug

Thanks Smug, I will check into that.

Right now I'm in the process of trying to get approval from the NBA to use photos that I'm allowed to use. I'm making a Kobe Bryant app. The point is the company has the last say. Adam

I think there are a couple of things to consider:- If you link to a 3rd party site and make it clear that the site is not your content, that shouldn't offend the site owner - you are driving traffic to them after all. If you are taking portions of the site, the site owner may look at that differently. Look for site terms of use to see if you are infringing anything. Asking permission is good, bear in mind that if they are a big organisation, it might take a while to get a reply. Cheers, Alan

Wow what great responses. Thanks everyone.