Oilpro Lawsuit Exposes DHI Group's Hypocrisy

HOUSTON, Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Oilpro.com has filed a lawsuit against DHI Group in Texas alleging that Dice Open Web, under the direction of DHI Group's executive team, illegally scraped and mined data from rival sites – the same practices it says Oilpro engaged in two years ago.

Among the lawsuit's most explosive allegations is that DHI has "scraped information from websites other than the Oilpro Website…and have developed a negative reputation for this activity on various Internet media websites" (emphasis added).

The lawsuit explicitly states that DHI Group even warned that its practices may be unlawful when it issued a warning in one of its 2015 SEC financial filings:

"We may be liable with respect to the collection, storage and use of the personal and professional information of our professionals and current practices may not be in compliance with proposed new laws and regulations." 

The lawsuit centers on allegations that Dice Open Web employees, under direction of the DHI Group executive team, illegally scraped protected member data from Oilpro.com, a popular professional network for energy professionals. According to the lawsuit DHI Group ran afoul of federal law, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), when the tech company:

"knowingly and intentionally circumvented…Oilpro security measures to use automated means to access the Oilpro Website and improperly download data, member profiles, and other information from the Oilpro Website. This conduct is explicitly barred by the Oilpro Terms and Conditions" (emphasis added).

The lawsuit against DHI Group covers 11 allegations including claims that DHI Group tried to profit off their ill-gained goods without obtaining permission from Oilpro.com, or the Oilpro Members whose privacy was compromised.

DHI Group tried to have the suit dismissed, but a judge denied the company's request. This case will likely have lasting privacy implications for online job seekers and consumers as the lawsuit makes its way to trial.

DHI Group operates a number of online job boards, including Dice.com, Rigzone.com, ClearenceJobs.com, and Efinancialcareers.com. Despite the Russell 2000's near record highs, DHI Group's stock continues to plunge amid these charges, sinking approximately 70 percent since January.

SOURCE Oilpro