Craigslist, the internet's dominant source of online classified ads, made news in June when it sent a cease-and-desist letter to PadMapper — a popular apartment-finding service that combines Craigslist's publicly-searchable ads with Google Map data. Since then, the company has changed its Terms of Use twice; asserting, then denying, ownership of its users' posts. It is now suing both PadMapper and 3Taps, which provides the API for tapping into Craigslist's ads, charging them with copyright infringement. 3Taps is fighting the charges with a counterclaim that alleges Craigslist is using is using its monopoly power to squeeze new entrants out of the market.The question remains whether Craigslist, which does not claim an exclusive license to its users' posts, has the necessary legal standing to prevent other services from tapping into its ads. Is Craigslist using its monopoly in classified ads to stifle innovation in the markets it dominates? Or are 3Taps and others merely piggybacking off of Craigslist's success?
Craigslist losing revenue from housing ads as competition heats up
The classifieds site is still a cash cow, but its revenue from real estate ads is down more than 23 percent
Craigslist doesn't want to own your posts, but it's still prohibiting third-party services
Changes to Craigslist's Terms of Use remove its claim to an exclusive license over user content. While the updated Terms now allow users to republish their ads elsewhere, the changes are unlikely to affect Craigslist's recent lawsuit against PadMapper and 3Taps.
Craigslist takes extreme stance on copyright policy, declares exclusive ownership of ads
Craigslist has made a dramatic alteration to its terms and conditions that establishes the company as "exclusive licensee" and copyright owner of all classified ads posted on its site.
Craigslist sues PadMapper and 3Taps over copyright infringement
Craigslist has filed a lawsuit against apartment-searching web app PadMapper and its data provider, 3Taps, over allegations of copyright infringement, breach of contract, and several other charges.
Padmapper skirts around Craigslist cease and desist, brings back apartment listings with third-party API
Despite receiving a cease and desist letter from Craigslist, Padmapper founder Eric DeMenthon has just announced plans to bring back apartment listings from the classifieds site using a third party API.
Craigslist cracks down on apartment listing aggregator Padmapper
Today, Craigslist issued a cease and desist letter to Padmapper, a popular apartment rental aggregator, forcing it to remove all listings derived from its site.
