Pages

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Let's Discuss: Review Link Etiquette

I was reading a blog yesterday that clearly stated that if you wanted to link to a review to please ask permission first. OOOPS!! I have quoted several people's reviews on my blog. I have sometimes emailed them and sometimes not. But never once have I not given them credit nor put a link to their review in my quote. Have I breached some form of etiquette here? If these sites had that disclaimer then I most certainly would have contacted them first, but most don't. I'm not out to steal anyone's work.......EVER!!! I like to insert what other people thought about a book that I have just recently read because I feel like it adds a bit of flavor to my reviews. So I guess what I'm getting at is this:
  • Should we ask permission BEFORE we ever use anything from someone else's blog ?
  • Is it deemed permissable to use quotes from another's review as long as we give them the credit for their words, without asking permission?
  • How many people have licensed their blog content with Creative Commons. Org?
  • How many people have experienced someone else stealing their blog content and claiming it as their own?
What are your thoughts on this?

32 comments:

  1. I may be wrong, but I've always thought it was fine to quote or link to someone as long as you give them credit. I'm not licensed on Creative Commons - should I be? As far as I know, no one has stolen any of my blog content.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have to ask permission to link just seems bizarre to me - don't people want to be linked to? Is it not a good thing when people like a post you wrote and send their readers your way?

    I actually licensed my blog through CC just yesterday exactly because I was scared by all the cases of bloggers having their content stolen I've been hearing about lately. I don't mind people linking to or quoting from my posts at all as long as they don't pretend they wrote them themselves. I'd think most of us would feel the same way.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'll check out CC. Never heard of it. Personally, I would think someone linking to you is a good thing and could increase traffic. If you're linking to someone, you're giving them credit.

    When putting participants' reviews on the WWII challenge blog, I always link to their reviews. If I quote from a review, I always make it obvious where the quote is coming from. I tend to ask permission from non-participants because their links go on a book reviews list, which is different from a traditional review blog. I haven't heard any complaints thus far.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with Kathy and Nymeth; I think it's fine to quote an excerpt from someone else's blog (and link to them) without asking permission. I don't think it would be OK to reproduce their entire post without permission, though, even if you did attribute it to them, unless it's a post like a challenge or event announcement. (But I also don't see why you'd want to do that either!) And I always ask first if I want to use an image or button that someone else has created.

    I haven't even thought about being licenced on CC...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wrote that comment at the same time as Anna, which is why I didn't mention her too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad you brought this up. I like adding links to my reviews, especially if they said or thought different things about the book. That way my readers get a more balanced view of the book I think. I always tell them I'm using their link usually saying, "with your permission" and no one has tracked me down and said no. But I've only done it a few times because I'm not sure if everyone likes it. I can't see why not. If they don't want you using their links, I think they should say so. And it would help if those who don't mind say so too, but that's more clutter on the homepage unfortunately. Can we assume that no one minds and that's why I've never seen anyone say don't use my links or ask first?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think anyone would be glad for a link to their posts. Maybe that request is there for the many weird sites active right now in stealing and posting other people's writing. It's happened to me several times and I've always ignored it, but if it was happening more frequently I might get mad.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I guess I'd be flattered if I found out someone linked to one of my posts. I haven't done the Creative Commons thing, and I can't imagine someone would claim my content. (Have you read my blog...why would anyone besides me claim that??)

    Seriously though, I suppose it would make me upset to think someone was swiping my words, but when I use someone's thoughts I always credit and link. I haven't always asked permission. I guess I never thought it would matter if I credited and linked. Something to think about.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can understand why someone would be upset about their content being quoted without proper credit being given, or having their content stolen. But I really wonder why they wouldn't want you to link to their blog, since the link just directs readers their way. Linking isn't the same thing as stealing content. It's equivalent to citing another source, in a printed work. It seems to me that one of the main attractions of blogging, and of putting yourself out there on the Internet, is being able to connect easily and instantly with other bloggers. If someone doesn't want that to happen, they'd do better to stick with traditional print publishing, right? Or keep their blog private and not available to the public. Linking to other websites is part of the game, and one of the things that makes electronic publishing so useful and exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I link to other reviews and I don't ask permission. I'm not using their reviews just giving readers alternate pov. I've had a couple email and thank me for linking to them. I don't consider it stealing since you are giving them credit.
    I know the stealing problem happens a lot with photos, so I see that sort of disclaimer on photo websites.
    I would steer clear of linking to sites with those disclaimers though.

    ReplyDelete
  11. GREAT topic Staci....I have always linked people that I am referring too and always give credit...haven't ever asked though! :):):):):):):):):):)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Interesting, I can't imagine why someone would want to give permission to link to their blog, unless they don't like some of the sites the link has ended up on?? I have never checked that when linking reviews--that's usually all I do, I've never quoted anything by another reviewer because I'd rather send a reader right to their site.

    I haven't registered with CC but now I think I will since you've mentioned it. I use another site called My Free Copywright. But you probably can't be too careful!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts! (And everyone else for the interesting comments!)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've never heard of CC but I'm going to check it out. I've never heard of anyone being upset with linking their reviews as long as they get credit for it. I certainly don't mind. I think it's great actually that if someone is really interested in the book they can see other viewpoints easily. The problem I have is I always, always forget to link. I'm so bad.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good topic, Staci! I can't say I've given much thought to it. I personally don't think you need to ask permission to link to someone else's blog. I can see why some might wish a person ask permission before something from their blog is quoted though--although that's nothing I insist upon and can't see starting. As long as proper credit is given, that's fine by me.

    So, no, I don't think asking for permission ahead of time is necessary.

    I do have a little copyright message at the end of my posts these days. I've had my posts stolen, unfortunately. Not that the little message stops the bad guys from doing what they will. It just makes me feel a little safer (even if it's all in my head). I've been considering looking into Creative Commons, but haven't yet.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I see blogs that have copyright/permission required for use of content. But I think if you link its OK. I borrowed from one sight once and left a message if she had objection to let me know, but I never heard from her. I have also read of different instances where entire posts were taken, words changed a little bit and reposted as original material. There will always be thieves. I guess the thing is not to care what happens to your content after its posted.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Generally the rule is to quote and provide credit where credit is due and that's perfectly OK. If someone is requesting that you obtain permission first, it would be best if you do so. However, that seems a bit much to me.

    Not licensed with CC...dunno if I should be.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I also thought it was a courtesy to link to a similar review, and even a good thing for the linkee.

    I did have one instance of someone stealing content, and I was ticked off, but it's not like I'm getting paid and therefore losing money. I guess what makes the web good (open and exclusive) can occasionally make it bad. Just the price you pay as I see it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My answer is the about the same as everyone else's. I site the source, usually italicize and use quotation marks, but I haven't asked permission. I don't usually quote from other blogs though, unless it's the directions for a meme, then I try to at least mention the blog anyway but most of the time link also. I hope I haven't offended anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Huh? I can't think of any reason why someone with a public blog wouldn't want to be linked to. As long as you are providing a link, I should think they'd be thrilled. They just might not get it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Huh, that seems so strange to me! I love when people link to my blog. Surely linking is what we want. Having content stolen is entirely different. Links just drive traffic, which is pretty awesome as far as I'm concerned.

    I don't ask permission when I link to other reviews either, but I do make sure I link if I'm quoting someone else's words, or even just using them as inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's obviously an issue when someone heavily excerpts your work and then only links to you at the very end (or not at all). But a short excerpt with proper credit gets you traffic and that's never bad (unless you don't want it...but then why do you have a public blog? Lock that sucker down!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've just added a note asking people to ask permission to quote me because I've been quoted by authors totally out of context on their websites. I don't want it to sound like I loved a book when I noted something positive about it but didn't like the book, in general. In those cases, there was no link to my review. Otherwise, yeah . . . I think it's silly to expect anyone to ask permission to link up. And, I've always linked to people I quoted. I do it, too. Context is important, though.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Goodness, I'd be thrilled if anyone linked to one of my reviews. But I agree that it would be wrong to plagarize another's writing. Giving credit either through a link or a footnote would be okay by me.

    ReplyDelete
  24. If they don't want people to link to their reviews, maybe they should make their blog private?

    The sites that steal content and post it word for word, don't credit the original source. That makes me mad.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would be thrilled to have someone link to me! It's great for traffic and I think it's a compliment! Of course one needs to give credit where credit is due if you are quoting them, but that's only proper etiquette. Maybe the person in question wants to OK the blog that is linking to them for some reason... OK everyone! Come on over to my blog and link up! :D

    Thanks for the great post. And thanks for mentioning CC. Never heard of it before and I always like to learn about new things....

    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  26. Like everyone else who's commented I'm thrilled when someone links to my blog, or includes quotes etc etc, I think that increases traffic and helps a fellow blogger out! - I love it!

    I have come across an instance where I've seen whole paragraphs of someone's review of a book used on someone else's blog as their own! I was shocked but didn't say anything (chicken that I am). I have no idea whether that has ever been done to me and I guess you don't know unless you happen to come across it in your travels.

    I think that is an entirely different thing to what you're referring to with the linkage & quotes Staci.
    Does licensing your blog content with Creative Commons prevent unscrupulous behaviour??

    ReplyDelete
  27. I cannot imagine that any blogger would be upset if you gave a link to their review (I know I wouldn't be!). I occasionally quote one or two lines from someone's review with a link to the review when I do Friday Finds. I have never had a blogger contact me and ask me not to do that (and again, I would not be upset if someone did that with one of my reviews...as long as you give credit to the blogger and it is CLEAR they wrote it and not you, I don't think you have an issue to copyright...just like quoting from a book for a review does not infringe on copyright).

    Re: your question about stealing content...yes, I have had my content used on a porn site (it was a blurb from my site which appeared...when someone clicked on it they were taken to a porn site). I emailed the blogger asking them to remove it. They never have...and they live in a foreign country and I have no idea how I could get them to remove my content given that they do not blog through an established server (like blogger, wordpress, etc..) It is upsetting when someone uses your content in this way.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great discussion!

    I have seen a blogger with a disclaimer that says that they own what is written on their blog and not to reprint it without permission, but I have seen nothing about linking. That is bizarre to me. I also would think people would want their reviews linked to. I do it when I can to give people other perspectives on the book.

    I did not realize that so much stealing was going on, but I do not know that I am surprised. I will check out CC.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wendy: You would have to contact their Internet provider to have the "blogger" remove your content. If they refuse, the internet provider can simply shut down the site.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Serena: Thanks - it is hard to know exactly WHO their Internet Provider is...it looks like they own their domain and I didn't see a provider's name...sighs.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a great discussion Staci! I'm glad that you posted about this. I don't usuall link to other reviews or quote them but I do add links to blogs/posts. I can understand if someone has had their content stolen and copied so they may be more sensitive to that. I think most of us don't mind linking to our blogs as it does bring others to your blog to view your writing/reviews.

    I haven't even heard of CC but do have a post on my sidebar that my material is copyrighted and a copyscape button added, many bloggers have this on their blogs. It's more for protection that someone doesn't take my writing as their own. I don't know if it makes a difference or not. I don't mind others quoting me and giving me credit or linking etc.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a bit late but just my 2 cents: I'm very flattered when people link to me and I don't think permission needs to be asked.

    ReplyDelete

Hello Friends!! I want to take this moment to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and thank you for leaving me a comment.

* Because of the excessive spam I have decided not to allow anonymous users to comment.

Happy Reading!
http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-discuss-review-link-etiquette.html
lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com
crawl=CC-MAIN-2017-34
188455
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:GVAJ537RXW755JEYI6F7MC33TO3ZZA52
<urn:uuid:76d6a74b-a066-4f7f-b7e1-7479670043f6>
2017-08-21T23:55:36Z
216.58.217.65
text/html
sha1:E5ODRSOL75RSIM4SC2ACCL2CVUH4UVWF
<urn:uuid:4b124183-c445-49d1-92b0-6bed432495e3>
http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-discuss-review-link-etiquette.html
response
<urn:uuid:a8c96015-017d-41c6-bf9d-07989f8e44d7>
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-117-23-37.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2017-34
operator: Common Crawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for August 2017
publisher: Common Crawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf