The Legality of Using an eCommerce Scraper

Let’s say you're working on an eCommerce project, and you need to collect data from online stores. You’re thinking about using a scraper to save time and get all that info quickly. But then, you pause and wonder about the legality of using an eCommerce Scraper. 

So, is this legal? You don’t want to get into trouble. Simply put, using an eCommerce scraper can be legal, but it depends on the website's rules and how you use the data.

Let's break it down together so you know exactly what’s okay and what’s not when using an eCommerce scraper.

What is eCommerce Scraping?

An eCommerce web scraper is a tool that helps you collect data from eCommerce websites. This data can include —

• product prices, 
• descriptions, 
• reviews,
• competitor info
• Images,
• and more.

eCommerce scraping tools automate the process of browsing and gathering information from websites. This saves a lot of time and effort.

However, using scrapers can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to the law. 

Let's break this down.

Why Do People Use eCommerce Scrapers?

✅Price Comparison: To compare competitor prices.

✅Market Analysis: To check trends in products or services.

✅Product Research: To gather details for building better products.

✅Inventory Tracking: To monitor competitors’ stock.

Here is the bar chart representing the data breakdown for scraping use cases.

Legality of Using an eCommerce Scraper: Is It Legal?

Here's where it gets interesting: it depends. 

Let me explain with a simple breakdown.

Laws You Should Know

• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) (USA): Scraping protected data can be seen as unauthorized access.

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU): If you're scraping user data, it must comply with GDPR.

• Copyright Laws: Scraping original content, like product descriptions, can violate copyright.

What Courts Say

In a landmark case, HiQ Labs vs. LinkedIn, the court ruled that scraping public data was legal. But this doesn’t mean you can scrape every site without consequences. Courts handle cases differently based on the region and data type.

In 2017, LinkedIn sued HiQ Labs for scraping publicly available LinkedIn profiles. HiQ used this data to sell predictions about employee turnover and skill gaps. But the court ruled in favor of HiQ, saying scraping public data wasn't illegal.

Court Ruling

The court disagreed with LinkedIn’s argument that scraping violated its Terms of Service or the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The judge said the data was already public, so scraping it wasn’t like breaking into the website.

What Does This Mean?

Web scraping isn’t always illegal. If you scrape public data and follow the rules, you’re usually fine. But remember, hacking into websites is still illegal.

**Bottom line: Scraping can be legal, but you need to be careful and follow the rules.

Copyright Issues

Most eCommerce websites own the data they publish. This means the product details, images, and descriptions are protected by copyright law. When you use a scraper to copy this data, you might be violating copyright laws.

**For example, let’s say you copy product descriptions from an online store without permission. If the store owns the content, you could face legal consequences.

**Tip: Always check if the website provides a way to use their data. Some stores allow you to access data via their API. APIs give you permission to use their data in a controlled manner.

Terms of Service Violations

Almost all websites have Terms of Service (TOS) that explain how you can and cannot use their website. Many eCommerce sites clearly state that scraping is not allowed. If you ignore these rules, you could face consequences like being banned from the site or even a lawsuit.

**For instance, if you scrape data from Amazon, they have strict rules against scraping. If you violate their TOS, Amazon could block your IP address or take legal action.

Data Privacy Concerns

In many countries, there are laws about data privacy, such as the GDPR in Europe. These laws protect personal information. If you're scraping personal data (like email addresses or payment details), you could be violating privacy laws, even if you’re not stealing the data directly.

Some eCommerce scrapers scrape customer reviews or ratings, which can involve collecting personal information. This can be a legal issue if not handled correctly.

Legal Scraping: When is It Okay?

Scraping can be legal under certain conditions. 

Here’s when scraping is generally okay:

1. Public Data

If the data is publicly available (like product prices or store reviews), scraping might be allowed. However, using the data for commercial purposes (like reselling it) can still be problematic.

2. Permission via API

Many eCommerce websites offer APIs that let you access data with permission. This is the safest way to scrape information. By using the API, you're staying within the legal boundaries.

3. Fair Use Doctrine

In some cases, scraping can be allowed under the Fair Use Doctrine, especially if the data is used for educational purposes, research, or commentary. However, this is a gray area, and the specifics can vary.

If interested, you can visit this insightful blog to learn about the Best BigCommerce Scraper.  

Legal Scraping Tools You Can Use

There are tools out there designed to help you scrape data legally. 

Some of these tools even come with features that help you stay compliant with laws:

Want to learn about the top 5 Best Buy Scrapers for 2025? Then, you can visit this insightful blog now!

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you now have a pretty good idea of the legality of using an eCommerce scraper. Basically, it’s legal if you follow the rules. If you’re careful and make sure to follow the rules, you can scrape legally. 

But always remember: If a website says "no scraping," don’t do it! Respect the site’s terms, use its API, and avoid scraping personal data.

Got any questions? Let me know. 😊