communitynews - 6:13 am on Feb 20, 2005 (gmt 0)

ThatAdamGuy,

I believe Google is crossing the line of the law.

Copyright law tries to encourge authors by giving them control over their works. It provides for LIMITED "fair use" that allows for using parts of a work for the sake of criticism, commentary, and reporting. Fair use provides a balance between the authors rights and the constitutional rights of public access and free speech.

Taking the ENTIRE work and adding to it for Google's benefit is over the line. The fact it is serving the consumer
doesn't allow for stomping on the rights of the author.

If Google wanted to look for a tag that GRANTED the right to modify the page by Autolink that would be OK but if they try to make authors put in a tag to PREVENT autolink from working that won't cut it.

[edited by: communitynews at 7:04 am (utc) on Feb. 20, 2005]