Firefox add-on lets surfers tweak sites, but is it safe?

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"There's quite a leap from someone allowing hosted ads to exist on their page to claiming that they 'authored their ability to exist', whatever that is supposed to mean." Ads do not magically appear on a web page. Tags must be put in place for it to happen. They must coded/tagged into the page hence 'authored their ability to exist'.

"... I don't see that the application of the Greasemonkey technology for the purpose of stripping a viewed web page of its ads is any different in principle to installing pop-up blocker software,"

That is probably where we differ the most. Simply becuase a script is only blocking some ads does not mean the technology behind the tool could not be used to alter every page you visit and by altering I mean far beyond just ad blocking.

"** I agree that the copyright line must be drawn somewhere, but I do not think this is the right place."

The client side tools that are coming out that replace html or remove it altogether is exactly where the line needs to be drawn, in my opinion. From a end user perspective it seems like a small deal since you are the only one seeing the changes but you must multiply that by the amount of users of such a tool to see it from the side of the website. It is not the same as a person DLing the page and making some changes. Technically the page is being modified prior to delivery to the user. That is, in my opinion, repackaging for public consumption.

Wow I didn't know I was mixing it up with a lawyer...you make some excellent points. I look at the bigger picture on this with the releases of other client tools that serve the same purpose. If allowed to continue, it will very hard for content providers to ensure accuracy, sell their wares, etc..

Posted by: IT Scion   Posted on: 03/23/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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