Free Business Directory Website Terms of Use
These Free Business Directory Website Terms and Conditions are for websites that provide directory listings free of charge. They can be used for broad business directories or for sites focused on a particular trade, industry, or sector.
The terms are intended to be accepted through use, so visitors are deemed to accept them when they start using the site. They also include optional account provisions if users can register or sign up.
What the template covers
This template deals with the main legal and practical issues involved in running a free business directory website, including:
- access to the site and user accounts;
- directory listings and acceptable use;
- intellectual property rights in site content and user content;
- linking to and from the site;
- advertising, disclaimers, liability, security, privacy, and communications.
Listings, IP, and acceptable use
The template treats the website operator’s content separately from user-generated content such as listings. Users retain copyright and other intellectual property rights in their listings, but grant the website operator a licence to use that content when they submit it to the site.
Responsibility for listings remains with the user. The Acceptable Usage Policy is therefore particularly important, setting out the types of material and conduct that are not permitted, together with sanctions for breach.
Scraping, linking, and advertising
The template includes a clause prohibiting scraping and text and data mining, making those activities a direct breach of the terms. Technical measures may also be needed to help protect site content.
It also includes optional provisions on copying and saving material, deep-linking, and links from websites containing unlawful or offensive content.
Optional advertising wording explains that adverts may appear on the site or alongside listings and may also state that the website operator is not responsible for advertising content where appropriate.
Operator information and legal protections
The terms provide for key information about the website operator, including company registration details, trading address, and any relevant regulatory or association details.
Important legal point: members of regulated professions may need to provide additional information, such as professional titles, links to professional rules, and other profession-specific details. Those points are not covered by this template, and regulated professionals should take advice.
The template also covers disclaimers, liability, security, privacy, cookies, data protection, and communications, and is designed to be compatible with consumer protection legislation including the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Free Business Directory Website Terms of Use is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.