Your Internet Attorney can explain the reasons why you’re exposing yourself to additional legal risks when you hyperlink from your site to another website you don’t own,
These dangers exists even if you don’t use an affiliate link.
For example, let’s say that you link to a product on a website that you like…and you forget about doing so.
The domain switches ownership and the content of the site you linked to becomes something entirely different, such as a site with child pornography or illegal online gambling. And you’re still driving traffic to the site with your hyperlink to it.
Do you want to be investigated, sued, or even arrested for the link?
Ridiculous? Not according to the U.S. government.
For instance, the owner of a website that linked to websites that streaming TV shows and movies was arrested for criminal copyright infringement even though he didn’t possess any of the pirated content or even host it. The links were enough to get him in hot water.
Oh yeah, before arresting the guy, the government confiscated his website.
Confiscation? You bet.
Speaking of betting, did you know the U.S. government just shut down the three largest online gambling websites and charged the owners with money laundering and bank fraud?
Wouldn’t want to be one of the website owners linking to those gambling sites.
So what can you do to reduce your risk of getting taken to the cleaners because of your external links?
- When in doubt, discuss things with your Internet attorney.
- Don’t link to any site that contains illegal content.
- Check your hyperlinks regularly to make sure the content you’re linking to hasn’t changed to something that could get you into hot water.
- Have an External Links Policy on your website that limits your liability for website visitors clicking links on your site that go to other websites.
To your online success!
-Mike the Internet Attorney
