Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Texas

Re: Instruction Manuals

Of course it is! The manuals are copyrighted - online or hard copy. And as far as you providing a service to the company's customers - you're probably also liable for the tort of interference with a business relationship. The company will not think its a "service" because (1) they are not a part of it; and (2) they have no control over it - yet, you might be subjecting them to court actions. So, you see, what to you seems like a minor thing is really quite major and I would suggest that you stop it - immediatley.

Re: Instruction Manuals

As has been pointed out, the manuals are likely copyrighted, and therefore protected against unauthorized distribution. The companies in question may make money selling the manuals. However, if you were to receive permission from them to host their manuals online, that's a completely different story. You may consider pitching your idea of a public service website to host manuals, and get (in advance) written permission from the company whose manuals you'd like to provide.