Great article on the legal implications of deep linking in New Architect [via Bag and Baggage]. The author discusses not only the legal grounds that are starting to be created, but some of the market philosophies as well.

His discussion of NPR’s public relations fiasco with an anti-deep-link policy was particularly interesting. Apparantly after the various internet protests, NPR reversed their policy. Apparantly they realized the free publicity for their programs was a good thing. Unfortunately, I’d never heard about the policy change, having pulled my links and said [bleep] ‘em when I first read the policy.

It’s not just bizarre policies and posturing. I’m still mostly a free-market thinker on these issues. Businesses that do stupid things will be less efficient and ultimately do less well then their competition. I live in San Diego, but due to lousy content (the Union-Trib) and an onerous registration policy coupled with a disgusting infatuation with pop-up ads (the L.A. Times), generally link to the San Francisco Gate for California news. Unless you’re Microsoft, I don’t have to tolerate your lousy products.

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