Linking to URLs on the web (was Useful Training pages..

[Brian Kelly]

> This business of linking URLs is really part of a larger problem. A while
> back that CNN was providing news on the web.  Our library had a link to
> this site until we got a threatening message from CNN saying we couldn't
> link to their site unless we paid. 
> 
> We cut the link, though I think CNN had no more right to tell us we
> couldn't link to their wide-open WWW site than the owner of a billboard
> posted beside a public highway has a right to tell passersby not to look
> at the billboard without paying for the right to do so. 

But what if I have a link to your organisation's logo from my WWW 
page.  I think most people would agree that it would be wrong to 
mascarade as another company in this way - but all that this 
(technically) involves is including a link to a URL, which is the 
subject of this chain.

So although I agree with the general sentiments expressed so far, 
there clearly are some exceptions to the general prinicple.

I remember on one mailing list a year ago someone complaining about 
an image being used without permission.  It was suggested that the 
server should be configured to deliver a randon image if this 
happended again.

Brian Kelly
--------------------------------------------------
Brian Kelly
Netskills         - see http://www.netskills.ac.uk/
Computing Service
University of Newcastle
Newcastle-upon-Tyne        B.Kelly at newcastle.ac.uk
NE1 7RU                    0191 222 5002