Semacode brings the
world closer to machinereadable tags that link physical objects to information
on the internet. As the Semacode
Website puts it: "A semacode is a small symbol that encodes a standard,
web-oriented URL. The URL is embedded into a two-dimensional barcode along with
error correction information. When the semacode reader software snaps the
barcode, it launches the embedded URL on whatever web browser is available. By
building on top of existing technologies, semacodes take advantage of work that
has already been done without re-inventing the wheel. Semacodes use existing
standards in symbols (barcodes), content-resource identification (URLs), and
content presentation (web browsers). The blending of these technologies into the
semacode gestalt allows any person with access to a computer to tag their local
and urban environment, and anyone with a cellphone to read those tags and follow
the virtual links."
May 28, 2004: Einfacher
surfen per Handy, Heise:
"Das Eintippen einer URL in Web-fähige Mobiltelefone ist mühsam. Der
Entwickler Simon Woodside stellt mit Semacode ein Verfahren vor, das
Web-Adressen als zweidimensionale Barcodes ablegt -- Kamera-bewehrte Handys
können solche Raster aufnehmen, mittels spezieller Software in das herkömmliche
Textformat zurückwandeln und an den Handy-Browser weiterreichen."
May 18, 2004: Ulbrich,
Chris, Camera
Phones Link World to Web, Wired:
"Technologists have long dreamed of a clickable world, where
machine-readable tags link physical objects to the universe of information
on the Web. That dream came closer to reality this month with the release of
Semacode, a free system that lets camera phones convert bar codes into URLs."
2. Fast Company's
linking policy
Links and Law has
already reported about linking policies that try to restrict the "right to
link" in the past. Maybe you remember the list of "stupid"
linking policies Sorkin, associate professor of law at the
John Marshall Law School in Chicago, put on his website. I also contributed to
the discussion with a list of German websites that request permission for
hyperlinks. Currently the linking policy of Fast Company deserves some closer
scrutiny. It expected people who want to link to their site to fax a
permission form to their legal department! Shortly after reports about the
linking policy hit the net, Fast Company amended it. Their
Contacts and Customer Service website now states:
"Fast Company permits
links to the Fastcompany.com Web site. However, Fast Company reserves the
right to withdraw permission for any link and requests that you not link for
any impermissible purpose or in a manner that suggests that Fast Company
promotes or endorses your Web site.
Fastcompany.com does
not allow framing of its Web site content."
During the last months
Links & Law often featured reports about new lawsuits brought against Google
because of the use of trademarked terms in adwords. In its SEC
filings Google commented on these lawsuits:
"Companies have
also filed trademark infringement and related claims against us over the display
of ads in response to user queries that include trademark terms. The outcomes of
these lawsuits have differed from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. A court in
France has held us liable for allowing advertisers to select certain trademarked
terms as keywords. We have appealed this decision. We were also sued in Germany
on a similar matter where a court held that we are not liable for the actions of
our advertisers prior to notification of trademark rights. We are litigating
similar issues in other cases in the U.S., France and Germany.
In
order to provide users with more useful ads, we have recently revised our
trademark policy in the U.S. and Canada. Under our new policy, we no longer
disable ads due to selection by our advertisers of trademarks as keyword
triggers for the ads. As a result of this change in policy, we may be subject to
more trademark infringement lawsuits. Defending these lawsuits could take time
and resources. Adverse results in these lawsuits may result in, or even compel,
a change in this practice which could result in a loss of revenue for us, which
could harm our business."
Newsarchive
The Links & Law
website is updated regularily,
so check back for updated
information and resources about
search engine and linking issues.