What data can I scrape out of online resources about plants without worrying about copyright infringement?

Where is the best place to find good online resources to get more information on copyright and trademark infringement in online advertising?

• I am in an advertising compliance role, and would like to be kept abreast of all regulations regarding copyright/trademark infringement in the online ad industry, i.e. when ads display logos they do not have the rights to, etc.

• Answer:

  I would look at copyright and trademark generally. The Wikipedia pages are good starting points: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_law_of_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_patent_law You ask about "when ads display logos they do not have the rights to." The issue is whether your use counts as "fair use." If you're using copyrighted material, the fair use analysis has four steps: Purpose and character  (e.g., commercial/nonprofit). Nature of the copyrighted work. Amount and substantiality of the portion used. Effect of the use upon the potential market or value of the original. If you're using a trademark, you can rely on the fair use defense if you're not using a mark in a way that would confuse consumers. But the analysis can be complicated—for instance, the trademark owner might still claim that you're diluting their brand through blurring or tarnishment. Even if you think your use is clearly legitimate, a litigious trademark owner could still drag you into an expensive legal fight. Hopefully this gives you a starting point, but before you act on anything, you should really talk to a lawyer—this is what they're for.This answer is not a substitute for professional legal advice....