7 rules for legal web linking

Was checking for a copyrights for the SmallTimes.com RSS feed... No, they don't have a specific copyright for the feed, but they do have one for the site content.

The thing that amazed me most was the "Rules Regarding Third-Party Linking to This Website":

1. No person may link to this Website without written consent of Small Times and execution of a copy of these Rules. 2. Third-party links to this Website shall use only the term �Small Times� (�Text Link�) to create such links. By displaying the Text Link, whether or not you have executed a copy of these Rules, you agree to be bound by these Rules.

This made me interested in legal matters about linking. Oh, muddy matters it is...

Basic rules distill to the following:

1. Link to home page, if you're not talking about specifics. Link only to home page, if the site author told so.
2. Attribute links.
   
3. Don't link to images that aren't yours
4. Beware of derivative work argument
5. Beware of defamation and TM infringement
6. Have a "Link Disclaimer" in your site's "Terms and Conditions"
   
7. Ask for permission when in a doubt
   

Wow... How much of these did I break on my sites? Looks like time to revisit them.

Further reading:

• Linking and Liability at BitLaw
• Internet Legal Issues: Linking at PubLaw
  
• The UT System Crash Course in Copyright
• EFF: Legal Guide for Bloggers
• Blog Ethics on CyberJournalist.net
  
• Blog Ethics on (in?) Rebecca's pocket

PS. No, I won't put a link to you, SmallTimes.

Technorati: legal, blogging, web

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