easyJet is entering the screen scraping fray by initiating legal proceedings against German software provider, InteRes, whose customers include tour operators such as L’TUR, TUI and REWE Touristik, using the “Mercado” booking engine.

easyJet claims InteRes has persisted in screen scraping, despite many warnings and in contravention of easyJet’s Acceptable Use Policy.
It says it asked InteRes to connect to its Application Programming Interface (API), which gives real-time access to easyJet flight inventory, but this was rejected.

Jerry Dunn, easyJet’s Distribution Development Manager, said: “We offer screen scrapers a commercially viable and fully licensed alternative form of distribution, which a majority of former scrapers have already signed up to. We will not accept that some scrapers continue to go about their business to the detriment of our customers. Screen scraping causes many technical problems, mis-selling of our flights and consequently to numerous customer service problems.”

easyJet has taken proceedings against InteRes for breach of virtual householders rights and breach of database right in Hamburg.

API allows companies to book easyJet flights under terms that have already been agreed by a majority of former screen scraper systems.
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