I have been trying to find this information online but haven't had any luck so hopefully someone has more knowledge of this. If I create an app about lets say NASCAR or U.S. History and I blend the content in the application with stuff I create and content from other websites. Am I allowed to charge for this application without have the permission by the other website owner/s? I know this is not a buzztouch question but I figured that someone one here would know. Thanks again! Magnus

Tough question indeed. The answer...it depends. There are countless debates about services that currate other peoples content then charge a few. One argument says that is fine because you are charing for a SERVICE, not the actual content. The service being organizing it, sorting out bad stuff, etc. Of course the other side of this argument says NO WAY, this is bad practice. I don't know the law but look at like this: If you're app is nothing more than a collection of easy-to-find online content, you should not charge for it. But, if your app has other useful features, offers an easier or better way to find the content, or displays the content in a different fashion suitable for mobile, why not charge?

Thanks David! That is kind of my thought process too!

Make sure that the sources you are using do not display disclaimers anywhere on the sites, that something along the lines of, the intellectual property contained herein is property of blahblah.com and may not be reproduced without written consent. Any violation will be remedied with legal action, punitive damages and compensation for legal costs will be sought from offending parties. Sometimes they are hidden, sometimes they are in plain site so be sure to really look. As they repeatedly told us in the Military, Cover your a$$.

Thanks, I am currently only thinking of potential apps that could be structured this way but that is a really good point...

Look at it like going to the library and doing a report. If you copy from the encyclopedia, word for word, that plagiarism. If you read 3 or 4 articles on the subject and rehash the info with your own interpretation, that's journalism. The other big issue is, are you using someone else's images without permission? Les

I am not looking to take credit for any of the information displayed I would just point them to a link on the web that would be it. To use the example I used initially if I created an app about NASCAR I would possible have a link to NASCAR.com etc. Going back to David's point of providing a service app for content and easy access...Now I am starting to think that there is no answer to this question at all..

To get back to your original question, Can you charge for pointing someone in the right direction? The answer is Yes you can. In my opinion the depth of help will be critical to further success. If someone asked How do I build a house? and you pointed them to multiple ordered sites that outlined, foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, roofing etc. you would have created a working order to a number of random sites. There would be some value in this. If you just linked them to a couple sites, I have the feeling the people who paid would provide negatives reviews of your app and the sales would stop dead. The big question is What value added service can you offer What can they get from your app that is not available anywhere else? Good Luck and think of it as a service, not a product. Les