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11/09/2001 Archived Entry: "9-Nov-2001 -- WebWord Comment"

WebWord Comment -- This is utterly ridiculous!

Replies: 12 comments

OMG!

my jaw is on the floor. Do we live in the internet stone ages around here or what?

Posted by Ruzz @ 11/09/2001 07:58 PM EST

1. I actually understand the first part of the request. They want people to know that they are The Vanguard Group, not just any old vanguard. They are protecting their copyrights, branding, and so forth. Silly, but somewhat understandable.

2. Asking me to put a link to the home page first makes no sense. People can find the home page if they want to find it. On second thought, maybe not. Perhaps some sites are so bad that users cannot find their way home.

3. This is the first "deep linking" issue I have ever been involved with. It is interesting. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to deal with these issues. If you want to know more about deep linking, follow these links:

Thinking About Linking (Part I)

Thinking About Linking (Part II)

Linking Rights

Deep Linking (Dave Winer)

Don't link or I'll sue! (Salon)

The Link Controversy Page

Linking and Liability

Emerging Legal Guidance on 'Deep Linking'

Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 11/09/2001 08:13 PM EST

What's really weird is that they spend LOTS of money making a site, marketing it with useless banners trying to get people to go there and then throw that money away by discouraging people who are trying to link to the site. Where's the business logic in that?

Posted by Rikard Linde @ 11/09/2001 09:49 PM EST

Remove the link. See how they like them apples.

Posted by JS @ 11/10/2001 01:47 AM EST

Sounds like Lorrie Bayler just learned how to read log files and needed something fairly useless to do!

Posted by Eric P. @ 11/10/2001 02:59 AM EST

No, f*** it, don't remove the link. I am pretty sure that they have no legal ground to stand on. Yes, I agree that using "The Vanguad Group" isn't a bad idea, but the rest is crap.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Their "terms and conditions" of use are only for those who "use" their web site. You are doing no such thing. You are only providing a hyperlink. Hence, you are not bound at all by their terms.

Also, since they have put up a website for unrestricted public access, they have no case for restricting you from linking to the site.

Their legal department obviously needed to justify the fat dollars paid to them. Screw them. Ask them to send you a legal notice. I'll dig up some precedent for this if you like.

Don't worry, John, you're safe. It's scary that this kind of shit goes on even now.

Want to be real cute about it? Change the link to something from makeashorterlink.com
Then their referrer logs won't even show your site ;)

Posted by MadMan @ 11/10/2001 06:12 AM EST

I agree, the first part is a reasonable request to politely make, but the rest just makes The Vanguard Group look like tiresome jobsworths.

I'd remove the link and send them an email explaining their request doesn't comply with the terms and conditions widely known as Common Sense. Then move onto something more worthy of attention (and linking).

Posted by Matt Round @ 11/10/2001 07:05 AM EST

I would not put too much more effort into it. It is a request that can be denied in part or whole.

Posted by Gregg @ 11/11/2001 10:22 AM EST

Actually, does this relate somehow to the TicketMaster court case? Check out:

http://www.google.com/search?q=ticketmaster+linking&sourceid=mozilla-search

I agree that it is stupid of them to make this request, but perhaps the legal system wouldn't think so.

Todd

Posted by Todd Chapin @ 11/11/2001 12:31 PM EST

The idiocy of some companies is truly sad. What a pathetic request. Now, whenever I hear of The Vanguard Group, I will probably remember a negative connotation.

Posted by anonymous @ 11/12/2001 01:06 PM EST

You are right. This is ridiculous.

One would think that if the site was constructed properly, a person would have no confusion about branding on arrival there. One would also think that the company would appreciate a bit of free advertising.

I would say that this is a blatant case of Vanguard cutting off its nose to spite its face.

Posted by Jan @ 11/13/2001 01:06 PM EST

That's sad.

You can call the link "Monkey Ass" if you want to.

That's like the manager at a McDonald's calling you at home, and asking you to stop saying to your friends "let's go to McD's".

Shit.

Posted by JimmyD @ 11/15/2001 11:52 AM EST

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