TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Permission on the Web From:"Arlen P. Walker" <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 12 Jan 1996 16:02:00 -0600
At my previous company, it was standard practice to cruise the web
for cool graphics and ideas to copy directly into the web pages we
were creating, although they were for internal use only. Was this
dangerous?
Dangerous? No. I doubt anyone would get hurt by all those bits flying around.
;{>} But I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were illegal.
Do you consider that one should always ask permission to create a
link to another's web page?
Depends on the context. If I create a list of cool web sites and put it in a
page on my server, I don't think permission would be required. Now, if I put up
a web page declaring itself to be a newsletter of some sort, and as part of this
newsletter I include links to columns written by other folks on the web, I would
consider it proper and necessary to ask permission first. The first is a "look
what I found" situation, the second gives the impression that I had a part in
creating the column, and more importantly makes it look as if the person I've
linked to is associated with me in some manner. Before I imply such an
association, I should ask.
why would you care if somebody creates a link to it?
Perhaps the person or group linking to it are not the sort of people I want to
associate with (they might be <shudder> Microsoft employees! ;{>} ) or perhaps
they are pointing with ridicule to my page.
Is this an issue of manners or rights?
More the former. I'm not sure that you couldn't drum up some sort of legal case,
depending upon how outrageous the circumstances were. I guess the point is we
are communicators by profession. Precisely because we are in this industry, we
should be treating other communicators with a higher degree of respect than the
great unwashed might, don't you think?
Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 124
Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
----------------------------------------------
In God we trust; all others must provide data.
----------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
If JCI had an opinion on this, they'd hire someone else to deliver it.
