Is it legal for me to put links on my website that lead to freeware or other sites or do I need to get permission for each link?
Keep up the good work guys.
Paul Lins, Blacktown, NSW
One of the nice things about the Internet is that providing you don't blatantly abuse other people's copyright, you can do most things that seem reasonable.
While some lawyers might like to charge thousands of dollars to give a legal opinion about each and every link you'd like to place on your web site, as long as you do things openly and don't try to misrepresent things, there's little chance that people will get upset with you. For example, if you pointed to a website that offered a software download that would be fine, but if you tried to pretend that
you were offering the download (without permission) the owner might get upset. And of course, if you tried to circumvent someone's web privacy by disseminating secret log-on details, that would be a no-no.
You'll notice that we often point to other websites in HelpStation, and I can't remember ever being asked to change anything.
Good luck with your web endeavours.
= Paul Zucker
I have a fair bit of involvement with internet forums, and without exception follow and advise the use of the following procedure:
- When quoting from a website always include a link to the original web page where the material was obtained. If it was from a password access website, don't quote it.
- When you want to link to a freeware program file, ensure that you link to the program author's website, even if the author's site itself links elsewhere to where the file is hosted.
- When linking, ensure that the link leads to the homepage or download page for the program file, not to the file itself.
- Before linking anything at all on your website, have a really good look at the site you are linking to. If it contains material which is not really suitable for the people you want viewing your site, don't link there!
Follow those practices and you'll never strike problems.
- Terry O'Shanassy
* Paul Zucker and Terry O'ShanassyHiroPosted: 31/08/2005
re: Do I need permission to link to sites?
A lot of web sites have terms for linking these days. If the site has such terms, read and review it carefully. In my opinion though, it is always good to ask the owner/author of the site. This way they too are aware that you intend to link their site and it gives them an opportunity to ask questions about your site. This is just common courtesy.
You wouldn't want someone handing out your home address to just anyone without asking you permissions right ?
Larry JentzPosted: 26/08/2005
re: Do I need permission to link to sites?
I was running a web site for a while and found that the best solution was to contact each site you wanted to link and ask them. This mostly resulted in them also creating a link to your site on theirs as well if they are interested in your site or find it attractive.