Is it "legal" to add business's to my directory without their approval?

[JohnUK]

I have a holiday directory online with a large following. I wanted to add more some more listings. There are various levels of listings, the ones i would be adding would be the basic ones.
Would companies make a big deal if i were to add their contact details?

If anyone has any info? that would be great.

[Jo W]

Much better to ask first...some are likely to object strongly.

[579]

Whether it is legal or not it's good manners to ask first.

[Pip]

I'm not sure how legal it is but when we had a business directory and first started we added businesses to it. We also contacted the businesses at the same time by phone / email so they could take a look at it. They then had the choice to ask us to take the listing off, let it stay for three then take it down at the end of the three months or carry on with the free basic listing or upgrade to a box listing. This system worked well and we only sold the business after 5 years because our other business was also very successful so we didn't have time to do both and expand both.