Yes, web scraping is generally legal in Missouri, provided it complies with federal and state laws, including copyright, contract, and computer fraud statutes. Missouri courts have not yet established specific precedents on web scraping, but they align with federal interpretations, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and Copyright Act. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has not issued formal guidance, but businesses must adhere to terms of service and avoid unauthorized access to protected systems.
Key Regulations for Web Scraping in Missouri
- Copyright Law (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.): Scraping copyrighted content without permission violates federal law, even if the data is publicly accessible. Missouri courts would likely enforce this under the Copyright Act, as seen in cases like Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service.
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Unauthorized scraping that bypasses technical barriers (e.g., CAPTCHAs, login walls) may constitute “exceeding authorized access,” a federal offense punishable under 18 U.S.C. § 1030. Missouri’s Computer Tampering Statute (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.099) mirrors this, criminalizing unauthorized access to computer systems.
- Terms of Service & Contract Law: Violating a website’s Terms of Service (e.g., prohibiting scraping) can create liability under breach of contract claims. Missouri courts have enforced such terms in cases like eBay v. Bidder’s Edge, where scraping was deemed a breach of implied contract.
Potential 2026 Shifts: The Missouri legislature is considering amendments to its Data Privacy Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.1500), which may introduce stricter rules on automated data collection. Businesses should monitor updates from the Missouri Department of Economic Development for compliance requirements.