Impossible? Integrating multiple databases without access

[zaindhanani]

Hello,

I am trying to integrate the databases for 5 websites into my site and allow my users to search through them and see the results side-by-side so they can compare them.


I've made a blue print of what I am trying to do:

ShopperGeek. com/demo


Now these 5 sites have APIs and data-feed programs but I am not a part of them (nor can I be).


Is it possible to integrate or access the databases of these 5 sites without being an affiliate and having access to their affiliate/API/data resources.


I had a programmer who claimed he could do it but then told me he couldn't.




Is this impossible or simply difficult?

I would appreciate some answers and advice.


Thanks,
Zain Dhanani

[WingedPanther]

Impossible, no. Possible without violating laws? Probably not. Short of spidering their pages and reconstructing the data, there may not be a way to do it.

[zaindhanani]

WingedPartner,

Thanks for the response.

I'm afraid that's the response I keep getting. I was hoping there would be a legal way to do it, it's not worth doing if I risk paying fines upwards of $10,000 (so I've heard).

It doesn't make sense to me why they don't allow it, I will literally be sending them free traffic.

[WingedPanther]

They spend a LOT of money to develop their database. If everyone has access to it, then their competition does as well and they lose whatever edge they had over the competition.