Hello,

Is it ok to copy terms of service from another company and adapting it to your business?

Can I get into copyright infrigements because of that?

Thanks

Alot of people do it, I guess you can get copyright infringements, but I mean people sometimes rip entire sites, it's not like it's going to hurt them.

Example:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22This+includes%2C+but+not+limited+to%3A+copyrighted+material%22&btnG=Search

So you mean it is not legal to do that?

I dont want to rip anyone but I cant pay a lawter right now to write me the TOS.

From what I have seen in several TOS there is nothing stated they are copyrighted cause they are basically a legal document and several legal documents are similar. People cant be creative in that field since wording needs to be adequate and you cant find much variations.

Many server providers allow you to use their TOS, and you can modify it from there. Just ask them. =)

Agreed, I asked the person if I could have it, they said yes.

Definitely ask permission first. If permission is received, just don't copy it, paste it and forget it, especially if you copy from someone other than you upstream provider. Make sure you agree with and understand the terms of service. Ensure that you replace the personal information such as contact address and other company info, with your own. Have you made sure everything in the copied TOS complies with your own local laws? Just some things to think about.

There are a good number of hosts who will let you borrow terms with permission. If you have a dedicated server through a server company who also does shared hosting, that can be a real asset, as many providers allow customers to use parts of their terms. LayeredTech's old TOS (not sure if it's still the same) was nearly identical to ServerBeach's (down to the part about not allowing streaming audio :D - LT took that out when I pointed it out).

You can buy a generic TOS from hostlegal for a pretty low price.

BR

I was going to suggest Host Legal also, but I could not remember the name. Good call billyRobat.

Their link: http://www.hostlegal.com/ - Zachary is a great guy to work with.

How pathetic that you even have to ask this. A TOS and AUP are centric to oversight and management. Unless you can engage legal counsel, discuss your OWN business model and ascribe it to a legal document of your own, you have no business even considering business. Another kiddie host breaks the surface of the primordial ooze...

What repartee:stickout:

Nice one
OWM

Yes, copying another company`s TOS is a copyright violation and would be illegal. Additional copied TOS may not protect your sufficiently. I would not do it under any circumstances.