You possibly are in breach of copyright in linking to a resource (just as
you are if you forward a mail message without the permission of the author
of the message). In most cases this doesn't matter (the law lacks behind
the technology, most copyright holders would be ahppy in any case). However
once you've been asked by the copyright holder, then things have changed.
Even if the legal position is uncertain, think about the adverse publicity -
"City University and London Tranpsort in Bitter Legal Dispute. Mayor
Livingston to Arbitrate"
Brian
BTW if you think a link doesn't matter, imagine the evindence which could be
presented at court.
<IMG SRC="http://www.city.ac.uk/logo.gif"> on my site - this (in hypertext
terms) is a simply hyperlink
Links within a framed site (cf. Shetland Times and TotalNews cases)
>
> This is all a discussion around a legal point and so I can't claim to be
an
> expert but you are surely not breaking copyright by simply linking to an
> object? Okay you could save the image onto your own site and use it from
> there which would remove the control from London Transport and then you
> would be in dodgy waters agreed - but what Paul has done keeps the image
> firmly under the control of the owners where they can keep the information
> up-to-date whilst still getting more visitors onto their site than they
> would otherwise do.
>
> Linking being the internet equivalent of flattery I suppose ;-)
>
> Spencer
>
> At 05:09 PM 4/12/99 +0100, C.K.Work wrote:
> >>
> >> I don't intend to comply with their request as I'm not breaking any
laws.
> >> Has anyone any comments that I should consider before replying to them?
> >
> >Well, I think you may technically be breaking the law - a) by linking to
> >the site you are facilitating the making of what London Transport has
> >now effectively defined as unauthorised copies of this map and b)
> >copyright does give the owner the right to control how their material is
> >used. I would think the request you received is a legitimate use of that
> >right.
> >
> >Whether this is reasonable or not is another matter - a court may decide
> >that LT should have taken measures to prevent direct links. But unless
> >you're keen on establishing case law I would be inclined to comply with
> >the request.
> >
> >Regards,
> >
> >Colin
> >
> >--
> >_________________________________________________
> >Colin K. Work
> >Computing Services
> >University of Southampton
> >
> >email [log in to unmask]
> >tel. 01703 593090 (direct line)
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> Spencer Gasson, Information Officer http://www.croydon.gov.uk
>
> London Borough of Croydon
> Central Library Tel: 0181 760 5768 ext.
1090
> Katharine Street Fax: 0181 253 1004
> CROYDON CR9 1ET
>
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