What makes you happy ?

Earlier this year I linked to and commented on the ridiculous linking policy of Evrsoft. I think I just found it’s equal.
I happened across Gizmodo. It’s a blog/site/whatever that I do not read and from there I found myself on vnunet.com. Now I would link to that but I absolutely do not agree with their pathetic and frankly stupid linking policy. Selected highlights:

(a) You must act in accordance with the terms and conditions of use of VNU’s Website (”Terms and conditions of use”) which will continue to apply to You.

So by linking I have to still agree to their T&C’s for their site? So it’s a very large link policy then isn’t it?

(b) If You do not accept these Linking Terms and Conditions You must not Link to VNU’s Website.

So if I do link and I disagree, you do what exactly?

(c) You may only use the names VNU or VNUNet and any VNU logo on Your Website in conjunction with the Link to VNU’s Website.

So saying VNUNET is wrong, as is vnunet…..

(g) You must include an acknowledgement on Your Website that the Link is to VNU’s Website.

So I make a link and then I say “This is a link to….”? How many times do you want your name on someone’s site?

(l) VNU reserves the right to review Your use of the names VNU or VNUNet, the Link or any VNU logo on Your Site and You agree to provide VNU with access to Your Site to enable VNU to review Your use of such names, the Link or any VNU logo.

Well I’m using it, so what other access do you want? ftp? ssh? cpanel? login here?

(m) VNU may, at any time, at its sole discretion, require You to discontinue Your use of the names VNU or VNUNet, the Link or any VNU logo on Your Site.

So I say no and you do what? How much grief is a href worth to you?

(n) You agree that Your Website shall not be operated in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation.

Good grief…..

(q) VNU reserves the right in its sole discretion to amend these Linking Terms and Conditions by providing you with prior written notice thereof.

You need my address then?

(u) These Linking Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Hey, I live in England too. But what if I didn’t. These would be even more useless wouldn’t they?

Imagine every blogger said this. Imagine every blogger and website saying that they too had and operated a restrictive link policy. Where did vnunet lose sight of the inter part of the WWW ? Why have they decided to be so damn precious and yet lost their grip on web reality? Since when do they think anyone would allow ANY access to a site for them to check? If I had a password protected site I wouldn’t let you in - what would you get? A warrant?
Why do these people insist on link policies in the first place? These vnunet people cannot be alone….