To Link, or Not To Link: Revisited

PS. This is a continuing post, to be updated regularly. Linking a website, has led to a major debate. The following articles relate to the debate and give you insight on how libraries or law abiding institutions can avoid the problems:

Latham, Joyce M. To Link, or Not To Link. School Library Journal, May 2, 2002;48(5):20.-- Latham, J. M. (2002). To Link, or Not to Link. Library Journal, 127(7), 20. Abstract: Discusses the policies of libraries concerning Web sites considered to be important by the libraries. Importance to libraries of policies concerning links to library Web sites; Evaluation of Web sites; Need for libraries to be selective in Web sites linked to library sites; Mention of the Bettendorf Public Library in Iowa.

Pike, G. H. (2002). To Link or Not to Link. Information Today, 19(6), 20. Abstract: Focuses on the legal issues associated with hyperlinks and hypertext on Web sites. Copyright of Web site contents; Lawsuits which illustrate copyright issues such as that between Ticketmaster and Tickets.com involving the practice of deep linking; Changing nature of these legal issues; Suggestion that hyperlink issues bear watching.

Shkolnikov, T. (2002). To Link or Not to Link: How to Avoid Copyright Traps on the Internet. Journal Of Academic Librarianship, 28(3), 133. Abstract: Discusses the problem of avoiding Web-related copyright liabilities in library activities, including legal ramifications of linking and librarians' responsibility for the content of the linked sites. Major source of copyright conflicts; Details of various court cases about copyright liabilities of libraries; Recommendations for librarians.

Battisti M. «To Link Or Not To Link» (¹). Hyperlinks, liabilities and responsibilities. IFLA Conference Proceedings. November 2003;:1-12

Shkolnikov, Tanya. 2002. "To Link or Not to Link: How to Avoid Copyright Traps on the Internet." Journal Of Academic Librarianship 28, no. 3: 133. Abstract: Discusses the problem of avoiding Web-related copyright liabilities in library activities, including legal ramifications of linking and librarians' responsibility for the content of the linked sites. Major source of copyright conflicts; Details of various court cases about copyright liabilities of libraries; Recommendations for librarians.

Web Site Linking: Right or Privilege, by Richard A. Spinello, June 4-5, 1999

Stanford Copyright & Fair Use - Connecting to Other Websites --Two common ways websites connect to other sites are linking and framing.

Publishing and Linking on the Web - W3C Working Draft 18 September 2012 Abstract: Hyperlinks are an essential part of the web. They give additional information and added value to a website. But various court actions indicate that hyperlinks could also imply additional liabilities. At first, hyperlinks allowed the addition of cross-references. Today they also raise several legal issues. Other possible misappropriations arise from the non-observance of ethical guidelines or netiquette. The purpose of this paper is to present the various types of hyperlinks, then the liabilities which some of them could incur in order to avoid them, while keeping in mind the basic principle of freedom of information. Links and Law: Myths

Myth one: "A normal link is an incitement to copy the linked document in a way which infringes copyright".

Myth Two: Making a link to a document makes your document more valuable and therefore is a right you should pay".

Myth three: Making a link to someone's publicly readable document is an infringement of privacy. continue reading

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about Linking Ways to build if you choose to:

How to Build Links Fast: 101 Tips & Strategies, seobook.com

9 Mistakes You're Making on LinkedIn OWNERS' MANUAL | Jeff Haden