Linking

**thebillionaire** · 03-21-2005, 11:11 PM

Knowing that just taking content from other sites is just no allowed permission, can we link to them? Like addictinggames.com does?

**James** · 03-21-2005, 11:27 PM

Unless they have policies that don't allow you to.

**r2d2** · 03-22-2005, 01:13 AM

Even if they did have a 'policy', does that actually mean you cant? What can they do if you did?

**Chris** · 03-22-2005, 07:28 AM

They can sue you, they might not win, but you'd have to pay a lawyer to defend you.

**MarkB** · 03-22-2005, 07:54 AM

Do you mean linking directly to their resources, such as downloads or flash files? Not only would you be still stealing their content, you'd also be stealing their bandwidth (shame on you!

).

**r2d2** · 03-22-2005, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Chris

They can sue you, they might not win, but you'd have to pay a lawyer to defend you.

Really? Ouch! What would they sue your for? Associating your site with theirs or something?

How would this work across borders? If I linked to an amercian site and they didnt want me to, where would they have to sue me? UK? US? Presumably UK? As I could ignore anything form a US court couldnt I?

**Blue Cat Buxton** · 03-22-2005, 12:51 PM

Would they not need to prove loss to sue you (or at least win)?

That, I would have thought would be tricky. But if they have a statement / policy asking you not to link to them, then why not abide by their wishes.

**r2d2** · 03-22-2005, 01:21 PM

Oh yes, of course, if a site said please dont link to us, I wouldnt - whats the point? Just interested in principle really.

Its weird though how some people would pay you to link to them, some people might sue you

**thebillionaire** · 03-22-2005, 02:13 PM

If someone linking to my sources I would be happy because I would be getting visitors, and getting paid through ads.

**James** · 03-22-2005, 03:07 PM

I don't believe that it would be held in the UK, or at least from what Terms and Conditions and such I have read it always seems to state that it will be held wherever the company resides.

**thebillionaire** · 03-22-2005, 03:14 PM

whats the maximum fine u can get for content stealing.

**Chris** · 03-22-2005, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by r2d2

Really? Ouch! What would they sue your for? Associating your site with theirs or something?

How would this work across borders? If I linked to an amercian site and they didnt want me to, where would they have to sue me? UK? US? Presumably UK? As I could ignore anything form a US court couldnt I?

Doesn't matter what they sue you for.

If doesn't matter where you live, you can be sued in US court.

HOWEVER, the only way a judgement made in a US court could be enforced is if...

1. You have assets in the US.

2. Your country has a treaty with the US to enforce each others judicial decisions (I know the US & Canada has such an agreement).

**r2d2** · 03-22-2005, 05:24 PM

Wow, interesting stuff.

When you say it doesnt matter what they sue you for, does that mean they could sue you for anything they want? If someone could sue you for linking to them, could they sue you for just mentioning them? I suppose it depends on what you said really - moves into slander etc...

Originally Posted by thebillionaire

whats the maximum fine u can get for content stealing.

Probably not worth finding out

I would think it would depend on the loss to the sueing party, and your gain from it.

**James** · 03-22-2005, 06:08 PM

2. Your country has a treaty with the US to enforce each others judicial decisions (I know the US & Canada has such an agreement).

*takes down several websites*

I suppose it depends on what you said really - moves into slander etc...

"They said we're a company! This is revolting slander and we want top dollar!"

**Chris** · 03-22-2005, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by r2d2

Wow, interesting stuff.

When you say it doesnt matter what they sue you for, does that mean they could sue you for anything they want? If someone could sue you for linking to them, could they sue you for just mentioning them? I suppose it depends on what you said really - moves into slander etc...

Probably not worth finding out

I would think it would depend on the loss to the sueing party, and your gain from it.

The point is that a company with money can hire a clever enough lawyer to find some way to sue you if the company wants to do so. You'll then have to pay a lawyer to defend yourself and thats expensive (unless your insurance covers it).