Copyright Aid

Hi,

Hopefully a quick question regarding the publishing of event results on a website.

I have a website where I publish results from dog shows that I have attended for the breed I own. I have now been contacted by another owner and been asked (told) to remove their details from the full results that I have published as they have not given their permission for their details to appear.

The results are in the form:

1st Mr A Smith - Sparky The Wonder Dog
2nd Mrs J Bloggs - Bob The Three Legged Dog
etc.

Given that the shows are public events, and the information can be gathered by anyone attending, and is reported in the Dog Show press, surely I can publish the results on my website as I am reporting news.

To clarify as well, I compiled the list of results myself, rather than copying it from elsewhere.

My only thought would be that since the names of the dogs are unique and identifiable to the owners, perhaps I could be accused of invasion of privacy?

Any help appreciated

If as you say you are compiling these results personally from attending the events then there is no copyright issue involved. Your compiled results would attract copyright or database right, as you have expended time and skill in assembling them.
I assume that the owners' details are in the programme or displayed somewhere at the time of the event, and are given when the results are announced over the PA system.
If so, then these facts are in the public domain and you are merely reporting them in much the same way as a local newspaper or specialist dog breed magazine might do.
I don't see any privacy issues and you don't need anyone's permission to do this.

Thanks, that's what my instincts were telling me.

All of the information I have published is available to anyone at the event and afterwards in the dog papers as you have assumed.

Thanks again