Forum Moderators: not2easy
I remember someone posting a case where a judge ruled that a link to a site is not something covered under copyright law, so I am not concerned about adding links to sites that are also contained in other directories or sites.
What I am concerned with is the descriptions of the sites that I am adding.
I believe that it is fair use to grab a nice sentence or two from the site that I am linking to, as a suplement to their link. But what if that sentence is on the page of the directory where I found the link to the site and not on the site itself?
Given that the text is written by the person that the link goes to, and not by the owner of the site where the link resides, is it still fair use? (I know for a fact that the site owner did not write the descriptions)
I don't see a problem with it, but I just thought I would ask.
>This may seem like I'm duplicating other people's content,
>but my directory is more broad based than each of the others
>that I am finding sites through.
So if you don't want to duplicate other people's content, write your own descriptions/titles. That's btw. one of the most important steps in making your directory unique and outstanding: your own editorial work.
>But what if that sentence is on the page of the directory
>where I found the link to the site and not on the site itself?
>I know for a fact that the (directory) site owner did not write the descriptions
How?
Well it is a paid inclusion directory that I am currently paying to have one of my sites listed in. Part of the contract for being listed requires you to write a description for your link.
I understand why you would be angry if another directory duplicated yours, but that's not what I am doing. I am creating my own directory for my users which does not require them to create a login to view it, and after searching through DMOZ and the assorted search engines, I am moving on to other directories to help find a few listings to begin populating certain categories that I was unable to locate sites for.
I think it would be impossible to create a directory today that did not have at least some duplicate content as other directories, especially when site owners are asked to provide their own information. Not to mention that most of the descriptions I have used are found in the <META> tags of the sites I am linking to. As well as in the description of the link.
I appreciate your comments. As a site owner I would be happy to see my link appear in another directory, and my description used. I just wanted some other opinions.
Absolutely! Don't get me wrong. What i don't like is taking descriptions and titles that have been created by the directory owner. If you are sure, the description can be found at the linked site, take it. If not, write one yourself. If you want to build a "uinque" directory, write all stuff yourself. (I'd also recommend choosing one or more niches instead of populating another general interest dmoz clone ... but that's another story. ;)
Descriptions get old and they might well appreciate the opportunity to write a new one.
In my experience most e-mails like that never get replies, but I guess I could ask them to take a look and if the description is no good, then give me another.
I guess I could ask them to take a look and if the description is no good, then give me another.
The added benefit here is that it tells the site owner that you actually took the time to look at their site and made the effort to write a reasonable description.
You could start from scratch, write your own descriptions and accept user submissions.
That way you get unique content. and it ads more credability to your site.
Mack.
