We all know that "links" on a web page are designed to take
us to another web page, usually another related page in the
same Web Site. Some links might take us to a completely
different web site, and here is where you have to be
careful.

It is normally acceptable to link to the "Home Page" of
another site, as long as you don't claim or intimate that
there is an association between your site and theirs.

It is not normally acceptable to link to a web page "deep"
within their structure with the express purpose of bypassing
their main pages, where advertising, disclaimers,
registration forms, copyright notices and other agreements
are typically located. It is also not acceptable to link
to informational articles others have created unless you
have received prior permission from them. Never, and that
is a very long time, simply copy the article and place it on
your web site as your own. That will get you in trouble
very quickly.

Many site owners will give permission to "deep link" or copy
an article as long as the proper credits are given. Some Web
Sites are rich in content, and webmasters get requests all
the time from people who wish to use the information. We
have, for example, a number of free e-books that are contained
deep within our structure and I don't require prior permission
to "deep link" to them.

Creating an e-book is a lot of work - why would I give
unqualified permission for others to give it away? Think
about it! Here is a "win-win" situation for both of us.
You get to give away something as a promotional gimmick, and
I get a visitor to my web site from yours, who probably
wouldn't have found their way there otherwise.

Articles are another story. If you wish to reproduce an
article for your web site or publication, always get prior
permission. If you are tempted to "deep link", or copy an
article, contact the owner of the Web Site and get their
permission first. Failure to do so could be an "actionable"
copyright infringement.

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Bob publishes the free weekly "Your Business" Newsletter
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