When ReData was accused of unlawfully collecting data and subsequently became involved in a precedent-setting court case concerning the scraping of rental housing data, a great deal was at stake. The allegations struck at the very foundation of integrity and diligence on which the company had been built.
Transparency Was the Driving Force
Historically, transparency around pricing and valuations in the real estate market has been limited. ReData was founded with the ambition of improving market transparency and providing access to high-quality data.
Before launching its services, the company carefully assessed the legal framework governing its data collection practices, including the use of scraping techniques to collect publicly available rental housing data.
“We had been extremely diligent in assessing the legal implications beforehand and had obtained confirmation from our legal advisers that our practices were fully lawful. That is why the allegations came as a major surprise.”
Nicholas Thurø, CEO, ReData
When BoligPortal raised objections to ReData’s use of data, the company immediately ceased the specific scraping activity and began exploring alternative solutions.
“We had no interest in becoming involved in a legal dispute. However, it quickly became clear that the case would proceed regardless of what we did.”
A Case of Principle
BoligPortal initiated legal proceedings before the Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court, which initially ruled in its favour.
For ReData, however, the case was about far more than the immediate outcome. The company felt that the allegations directly challenged its integrity and business model.
“They called us data thieves and made outrageous claims that we were trading in stolen goods. That is why we decided to appeal the judgment.”
The case was subsequently heard by the Eastern High Court of Denmark, which ruled in favour of ReData. The Court concluded that the company’s data mining practices were lawful.
Legal Excellence Combined with Practical Advice
With both the company’s reputation and commercial foundation at stake, it was essential for ReData to have legal advisers capable of combining technical expertise with a practical and business-oriented approach.
According to Nicholas Thurø, Patrade stood out through its commitment and close involvement throughout the entire process.
“The lawyers were genuinely invested in the case. It was clear that it was not simply handed off to a junior associate. They committed significantly more resources and attention than we would normally expect.”
At the same time, ReData appreciated Patrade’s focus on the issues that truly mattered, rather than creating unnecessary complexity.
“We received excellent value for money. The lawyers’ approach was highly pragmatic, and they remained focused on what was genuinely important for the case. The process was never made more complicated or extensive than necessary. In that respect, Patrade is truly exceptional.”
