New Orbitz Terms Prohibit Inbound Deep Linking

chekovma writes "Orbitz has announced a new set of Terms and Conditions that take effect March 12th which require anyone who uses their website (creates an account there) to follow strict inbound linking rules. These rules prohibit a user from creating even a plain text link to orbitz.com without first notifying them and require a user to take down such a link at their desire. It also disallows any deep linking -- meaning even this post violates those terms and conditions."

Comments

Good Morning Slashdot!

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I just wanted to tell you how much I love you! Have a great day!

Terms and Conditions of this Comments

[bigtallmofo]

By reading this comment, you agree that you will not link to this comment or any of its child comments. You also agree to mod it up, using any and all mod points that you currently have.

By reading the terms and conditions of this comment, you are locked in to obeying them by the most basic laws of physics of the universe and failure to obey them will cause you and your entire family to instantly cease to exist.

Re:Terms and Conditions of this Comments

[cHiphead]

You also agree to mod it up, using any and all mod points that you currently have.


Holy crap, it worked.

Message to Timothy

[millwall]

Ok, so if you post a dupe of story it could be serious. No dupe postings of this story after March 12th :)

maybe we should oblige them

[slashjames]

By removing all links to Orbitz from other domains, watch them fall in search engine rankings. Orbitz fails to realize they only are high in the search results because other sites link to them. Their current policy indicates they don't want to even show up!

Short Orbitz Stock

[Deanasc]

Clearly showing a fundimental misunderstanding about how the internet works should be a huge warning flag that management doesn't understand the world they're working in.

Why would anyone need to deep link to a gum that keeps your teeth clean anyway?

A Cease to Exist notice?

[Myriad]

By reading the terms and conditions of this comment, you are locked in to obeying them by the most basic laws of physics of the universe and failure to obey them will cause you and your entire family to instantly cease to exist.

Man, your lawyer must have friends in very high places if he can issue a Cease to Exist notice!

How is such a thing delivered? Does the Reaper come in person?

Blockwars: Free, multiplayer, Tetris like game.

Re:There is no such thing...

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd never heard of them

Congrats to whoever wrote your popup blocker.

This is too bad...

[EmagGeek]

I use Orbitz all the time, and I have generally had good experiences with them. In fact, I used them the other day to book a trip to Phoenix. It's too bad these new terms are so restrictive.

Re:This is too bad...

[mithras the prophet]

I just sent them this email:

To: customerservice@orbitz.com
From: <me>
Subject: request
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:02:46 -0500

Hello,

I am an Orbitz member. I would like to include a link to the Orbitz
homepage in a text email to two members of my family. Per the new
Orbitz Terms & Conditions, I hereby request permission to include such
a link in an email to be sent March 12, 2005.

If possible I would also like to secure a standing agreement permitting
me to include text links to the Orbitz homepage in future emails,
including but not limited to two such emails I intend to send in the
month of April.

Finally, because some of my friends and family are not yet Orbitz
members, I request a "separate linking agreement" between Orbitz and my
fucking email outbox, so that I may direct such persons to the Orbitz
registration page at:
https://www.orbitz.com/Secure/ViewNewMemberRe g?
z=e57r&r=d&signInType=explicit

Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Me

Re:How Does This Affect My Rights??

[Haeleth]

Ahh, until their webmonkeys forget to put out the robots.txt file...

I'm afraid they remembered: http://www.orbitz.com/robots.txt

Oops, I just violated the Orbitz TOS. How careless of me. ;)

Orbitz can suck my danglybitz

[Dogtanian]

You mean this link:- http://www.orbitz.com/robots.txt?

Afraid they can't sue me for that. I've never visited their site (except for pop up ads which I didn't give permission for), so I haven't agreed to their silly EULA.

That was so much fun, I think I'll do it again. http://www.orbitz.com/robots.txt !!! http://www.orbitz.com/robots.txt !!! http://www.orbitz.com/robots.txt !!!

Neh neh nyeah-nyeah neh! :-P

404's...

[AyeRoxor!]

I've always wondered if 404's count as a deep link.

Look at me orbitz!!!

http://www.orbitz.com/global/I'm%20deep%20linking!

I'll expect my summons in the mail.

Re:They need to read the Ticketmaster case

[Alzheimers]

BTW, anyone who reads this post owes me $20, that's my TOS.

That's okay, I'll just subtract it from the $350 "Proofreading Fee" you owe me for reading your post.

Re:Copyright infringement?

[nospmiS remoH]

Breakin the law!
Breakin the law!
Breakin the law!