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What is scraping?

Web scraping is a process by which website data is extracted (ie copied) using a web scraping program. Websites are typically coded in HTML and a range of different web scraping programs have been created which interface with the HTML code to collect copies of the data for use elsewhere.

Another type of scraping relevant to website operators is screen scraping. In very basic terms, this involves deploying a program to complete forms on third party websites and then extract the output/results from those forms. Often the program will simulate a human operator to obtain the outputs (which is why websites sometimes set ‘challenge responses’ such as Captcha, requiring the user to enter a code shown on the screen to determine whether that user is a human operator or a program). Some price comparison websites use screen scraping programs.

What is the relevant law?

Some of the law in this area is derived from, or is, European Law. Although other laws may be relevant, those of primary relevance