Hey CCL-ers! Per CEO JOE's request, I've been asked to come out and give a quick reminder about CCL's policy concerning the posting of outside links in our forums.
There's been some confusion about what we allow and what we don't allow when posting an outside link to another website. Hopefully, my post will be about as clear as I possibly can be on this matter. Also, please note that my announcement is not meant to attack any one comic site.
At the bottom of CCL's page, you'll find a little set of links called "TERMS & CONDITIONS". When you become a member of CCL, you are asked to abide by these terms. Under Section 8 (Public Forums) reads the following:
8. Public Forums. CCL may, from time to time, make messaging services, chat services, bulletin boards, message boards, blogs, other forums and the like available on or through the Web Site. In addition to any other rules or regulations that we may post in connection with a particular service, you agree that you shall not upload, post, transmit, distribute or otherwise publish through the Web Site or any service or feature made available on or through the Web Site, any materials which (i) restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Web Site or the Web Site's services, (ii) are fraudulent, unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, offensive, pornographic, profane, sexually explicit or indecent, (iii) constitute or encourage conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law, (iv) violate, plagiarize or infringe the rights of third parties including, without limitation, copyright, trademark, trade secret, confidentiality, contract, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary right, (v) contain a virus, spyware, or other harmful component, (vi) contain embedded links, advertising, chain letters or pyramid schemes of any kind, or (vii) constitute or contain false or misleading indications of origin, endorsement or statements of fact. You further agree not to impersonate any other person or entity, whether actual or fictitious, including anyone from the Web Site or CCL. You also may not offer to buy or sell any product or service on or through your comments submitted to our forums. You alone are responsible for the content and consequences of any of your activities.
I've highlighted Subsection VI. It states that members are asked to "not upload, post, transit, distribute or otherwise publish through the website...embedded links, advertising, chain letters or pyramid schemes of any kind".
What this boils down to US in this matter is this:
If you start a topic in the forum that opens relevant conversation asking members of CCL to contribute ON CCL, that is ok.
If you start a topic in the forum that INVITES OR ASKS CCL members to visit "www.gotothisherelink.com", that's a red flag for us.
"But Valiant," you may ask, "what if I do a youtube video or get one of my articles published on ComicSexandRockNRollNewsKablooey.com?"
As long as you're not officially affiliated with the website specifically, then you're fine. You're just a fan making a fan-like opinion and telling like-minded fans on CCL the good news and asking them to comment. If you're the owner, operator or officially/specifically listed in any capacity with ComicSexandRockNRollKablooey.com, your link is considered an advertisement in order to direct traffic over to your website and THAT is spam. You may be contacted by CCL directly with a warning, a request to delete the post or other action.
Links to websites that you own or contribute to in your SIGNATURE are permitted. This is only concerning forum topics and postings.
Thanks for your time in this matter. If you have any questions about this, please contact either myself or Joe.