: So let's see, I'm going to put up a page on the web for all to see, but DO
: NOT arrive at my page via any other commercial site. I'd have to assume
: this also includes any search engine that accepts advertising, like Yahoo,
: et al.

: Hmmmm. Sounds like a lawyer's feeding frenzy.

: Jim

Actually there are many many sites that are connected to the internet which are definitely NOT for the public to use. and there are more which are commercial sites where a fee must be paid to gain access.

Lexis/Nexis comes to mind. Also, searching the archives of the Chicago Tribune carries a fee.

Usually totally private sites that are connected to telephone wires, or to the internet in other ways, are protected by firewalls and passwords.

Generally the protection against intrusion is the responsibility of the site that wishes to remain private. Obviously a bank would not want an outsider to have access to their records and maybe juggle the accounts, so they take real good care of their security when they do wire transfers. And the military would get a bit huffy if someone should send off a missle or two, so they have their security measures, too. ( but "Wargames" is still a good movie )

But, there are many commercial sites on the internet which are freely accessible and yet charge a fee. Get an e-mail address through Hotmail and your mail box will soon be filled with solicitations from many such sites, which also happen to offer x-rated pictures.

Again, though, the opening screen or homepage is usually what the URL point to, and a valid password is needed to proceed beyond that point. (and you also need to give a credit card number)

I can see the possibility that a web site could be entered by knowing the URL of one of the pages that was hidden beyond the home page. I can also see the possibility that another site might post that second URL, instead of the one pointing to the homepage. If that was the case the the web site owner would have a valid case for theft of services, or something like that.

I have not visited George's website for quite a while, so I can't confirm how the site is arranged, but if a URL leads to his home page, and he asks for a fee for people who wish to go further, then I believe it is his right to charge for access to data which he has for sale, on the internet. But as I see it, it would also be his obligation to protect his merchandise, by some password mechanism at the very least, so that his data was not uncovered by accident.

Just a few thoughts.

PGJ