Is there anything wrong with TOS & Privacy Policy

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by coolguy123, Apr 29, 2007.

  1. #1
    I am wondering, if there is anything against you if you copy the TOS and Privacy Policy from other site provided you change a little bit here and there. Is there anything special in TOS & Privacy Policy that could hold against you if you sourced it from somewhere else. i think it is just a standard template that is there to protect your ass in case something goes wrong. Let me know what's u guys think :confused:
     
    coolguy123, Apr 29, 2007 IP
  2. nervo

    nervo Active Member

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    #2
    nervo, Apr 29, 2007 IP
  3. dcgamers

    dcgamers Peon

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    #3
    Copy it but just remember to change the website names and everything. And make sure it fits your website well.
     
    dcgamers, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  4. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Copying a contract is the same thing as copying any other piece of writing.

    Also, you'd be foolish to do so. What if there are mistakes in it? Now you've got them too.

    There are templates out there that can be copied.

    The DMA has a quick and easy privacy policy generator (Nervo linked it above).
     
    marketjunction, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  5. theclynn

    theclynn Peon

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    #5
    Either use the generator, read other websites to get ideas and a guideline but don't copy, or email the site owner and ask for permission. I was a moderator on a forum where our rules and t&c were copied.

    We weren't happy with the other site.
     
    theclynn, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  6. Creative Copywriting

    Creative Copywriting Peon

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    #6
    well said! I'd have to agree here, the TOS for your site should be custom tailored to your site. Using the PPG is a good idea, if you choose not to use it for the final copy you can still use it as an outline or guide.

    Creative Copywriting
    Christian
     
    Creative Copywriting, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  7. shuttle

    shuttle Active Member

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    #7
    recycle is a really nice way to put it. Just change the web site name, links and other specialized info so that it matches for your site.
     
    shuttle, May 1, 2007 IP
  8. DeniseJ

    DeniseJ Live, Laugh, Love

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    #8
    No, shuttle. Recycling is NOT a nice way to put it. Plagiarism is plagiarism, whether you are ripping off an article or a privacy policy.
     
    DeniseJ, May 1, 2007 IP
  9. shuttle

    shuttle Active Member

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    #9
    I don't wanna argue with you Denise cause I really like you and I like the things you are writing about Punk music ( you rock! ). But I think that this like any other contract paper. You just put the info that is relevant to your company or site.:p
     
    shuttle, May 2, 2007 IP
  10. DeniseJ

    DeniseJ Live, Laugh, Love

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    #10
    Thank you Shuttle, I do appreciate the compliment. But I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on this!
     
    DeniseJ, May 2, 2007 IP
  11. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #11
    You're confusing a TEMPLATE that's being sold/give for others to use and someone's original work.
     
    marketjunction, May 2, 2007 IP
  12. shuttle

    shuttle Active Member

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    #12
    I am not saying that people should use exactly the same wording for their TOS page. By using the term recycle I mean that they could borrow the main idea ( the general idea expressed in other words ) and by using their own words to create their own TOS page.
     
    shuttle, May 3, 2007 IP
  13. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Bottom line, the law is complex. One piece of contractual law in one state could be invalid, and thus lead to problems, in another state.

    Take a warranty clause. You might say that you make no warranty, use at your own risk and yadda yadda yadda, but in some states those clauses are not valid. Does this invalidate your whole contract or just a piece or pieces? What's your contract say, specifically, about that?

    Sure, you can look at a clause and come up with your own, but since you probably don't know the law well, you're likely to invalidate something or steal something.

    Unlike regular writing, the law is beyond precise. One word can change an entire contract.

    Note: "You" is being used in a general sense and not being directed at anyone in particular.
     
    marketjunction, May 3, 2007 IP