When Lawyers Rule the World...This Happens

by Seth Pollack on Nov 6, 2009 8:52 AM MST in Phoenix Suns Commentary

Thanks to our friends at Binary Basketball, we learn today that the legal eagles over NBA.com have this policy in place on their web site's terms and conditions.

As you will see, I can't actually link to their linking policy without being in violation of their policy on linking which states that by linking to them (in accordance with their linking policy) that I have accepted their terms and conditions with regards to the aforementioned policy on linking, links, linkage, linkering, linkermania, and any and all off spring of the term "link" whether in use currently or at any time in the future. Ever.

Here's the good parts...

E. All links to Site from a Permissible Site must be to the Site's home page or to the homepage of a particular team -- links to internal pages within the Site (e.g., a player page, a photo gallery or a feature article) other than to the home page of a team are not permitted.

F. The posting or creation of any link to the Site signifies that you have read these Linkage Restrictions and agree to abide by their terms.

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense.

Why would the NBA want a site like ours to link to the player page of Steve Nash when instead we could be linking to the SBN, ESPN, Yahoo! or CBS Sports player page of Steve Nash?

Can I even use the phrase, "Steve Nash"? I better check the terms and conditions covering the use of property owned by the NBA.

Clearly, anything the NBA can do to make it more difficult to talk about their sport is going to benefit their sport. Clearly.

In other related news, Bright Side of the Sun has instituted a new policy in our terms in conditions stating that any time you type, speak or think about Bright Side of the Sun you must stand on your left foot and touch your nose. Your use of the Internet at any time for any reason implies your consent with this policy.

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Comments

Business as usual

“Fuck the fans,” “give the refs final say in game-deciding decisions without the consent of the play of the players,” and “David Stern’s mafioso mentality” rule the day.

Fanaticism is not logical

by SunDolphin on Nov 6, 2009 9:26 AM MST reply actions

Uh oh, I’m in violation. Do I pay you or am I banned? I feel horrible.

New rule: All BSOTS posters, bloggers, etc all are shan’t ever, under any circumstances, under pain of death utilize the site herein called NBA.com

by Wil Cantrell on Nov 6, 2009 9:26 AM MST reply actions

Sometimes you wonder what part of "link" lawyers don't get

Cool. The NBA should start by suing Google http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=steve+nash+nba&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g6

But slowly things happen that they cannot help and the Blazers Fellowship of the Ring begins to break apart

by Norsktroll on Nov 6, 2009 9:40 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

Nice way around it. Good job!

Fanaticism is not logical

by SunDolphin on Nov 6, 2009 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

Well

Of course becuase it all makes sense. This must be part of the transparancy initiative the NBA (by the NBA I mean Stern) claimed to be starting up. By transparancy I mean brick wall.

TO THE NBA - " Yeah, you have created a rift within me ; Now there have been ; several complications ; that have left me feeling nothing ; I might say, you were ; wrong to take it from me ; Left me feeling nothing " - Disturbed, "Numb"

by antiw0rm on Nov 6, 2009 11:43 AM MST reply actions

And as long as the ratings are up

overseas….then all is well?

by antiw0rm on Nov 6, 2009 11:43 AM MST up reply actions

LOL

Fanaticism is not logical

by SunDolphin on Nov 6, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions

I just fell and tore my acl

while i was trying to stand on my left foot, touch my nose, and type… I’ll just have my lawyers contact you.

by brian13 on Nov 6, 2009 11:50 AM MST reply actions

wait, how can I stand on one foot and touch my nose for 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 a year?

by PHXgp on Nov 6, 2009 12:57 PM MST reply actions

if you care enough

you do what has to be done

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 6, 2009 1:17 PM MST up reply actions

Jesus H. Christ

How ridiculous. A very similar thing is happening over at NewsNow, if anyone uses that, and I can’t understand why/how linking to their content harms them one bit.

by Toon Army Sun on Nov 6, 2009 1:30 PM MST reply actions

What are the terms and conditions that are so offensive?

So, by linking to the NBA site, you agree to … what?

What is the NBA going to do? Sue you to take out weblinks? Not likely.

This is kind of like signing a waiver when you go bungee-jumping and agree not so sue the company for negligence. Neither is enforceable. They are attempts to enforce their will through in terrerom tactics.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Nov 7, 2009 7:50 AM MST reply actions