Delinking RSS feeds

Is it new to de-link feeds? Is it correct?

[Neticman]

We developed a PHP script that modifies links in any page. We made several options:

1- Adding the Nofollow attribute
2- Replacing Javascript links for HTML links
3- Erasing the <a href= > from the code, to de-link
4- Replacing any URL for the existing one

Before taking this to the market, I have 2 big doubts:

1) Is this a novelty?
2) Is this correct/ethical/legal?

Thanks all for your input.

[howiejs]

Please describe the uses for this?

[Visit Thailand]

I guess you are talking about putting someone else's feed on your site are you?

What do you mean by point 4?

I see little problem with 1 but 2,3,and 4 are confusing.

Some sites may have T&C when using their RSS feeds.

Added in: Generally when people ask whether it is correct or not and whether it is legal, I think more often than not they know the answer.

[burnsal]

Neticman,

If you are talking about removing the links from the RSS feed than that is a very bad idea.

I think you would be making trouble for yourself.

Bar formatting, I certainly would not want my feed altered if it were used on other sites.

[topr8]

what you are suggesting is unethical i think.

though i'm sure there would be a market for your product.

[Neticman]

Thanks for the feedback.

This project came up after we received a package called RSS Equalizer from a client who wants us to install it. It came with an eBook (RSS Action Guide) with a proposed hack, that look like the ones I mention in the original posting. I quote:

"The problem with this is that too many outbound links will cause PageRank leak, which will lower your rankings in Google. Of course, you can always disable links, but that’s not very ethical or fair to site owners who provide you with all the links.... The solution to this is to use..." .

We plan to go a little farther than RSS Equalizer, offering several options for delinking (delinquing?), and sell the script with the proper disclaimer.

About Terms and Conditions for the newsfeeds, I am sure that there will appear in the near future, but currently I haven´t seen any in regular RSS feeds. The London BBC has a strict T&C, but they are the BBC...

Many webmasters will start inserting the Google-endorsed Nofollow attribute by hand, and our tool will automate the process. Other uses, like using intermediate ad pages in the borrowing site, before letting the visitor go away, would be dubious or unethical.

I guess some people will use the script for fair using/incorporating/borrowing/stealing content for their sites. They would be responsible for any copyright infringement.

My guess is that our tool will not be illegal per-se. Thus, I see no objection in launching it commercially.

I am listening to any warnings before going ahead...