The Pan American games are a large sporting event, similar to the Olympic games, that pit athletes from all over the Americas against each other. This year they are being held in Toronto, which has led to their name being shorthanded as “TO2015”. And while they are sure to be absolutely cool, it seems like their lawyers are really struggling with “that internet” thingy.
Specifically, their terms and conditions expressly forbade anyone to…link…to their website:
Links to this Site are not permitted except with the written consent of TO2015™. If you wish to link to the Site, you must submit a written request to TO2015™ to do so. Requests for written consent can be sent to branduse@toronto2015.org. TO2015™ reserves the right to withhold its consent to link, such right to be exercised in its sole and unfettered discretion.
lolwut?
The Register sent this snarky message to the email address to “obtain consent:”
Dear Pan Am Games lawyers,
Welcome to the internet.
We would like to seek permission to link to your website for a story we are writing about how ludicrous it is that you are requesting people to ask permission to link to your site.
It is only fair that we warn you the article is likely to be critical of yourselves and contain a good degree of mockery.
We should also note that we will link to your site regardless of your response. But all the same, it’s nice to have permission.
And before you ask: there’s no need to ask us for permission to link to the story when it’s up. It happens all the time.
Good luck!
Their confidence-inspiring reply??
Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: branduse@toronto2015.org. Technical details of permanent failure…
Apparently somebody got these guys an internet tutor, however, because their Terms of Service were updated a few hours after “The Register” ran their piece. The new text reads:
The use of or embedding of content from this Site is not permitted except with the written consent of TO2015™. Requests for written consent can be sent tobrandapprovals@toronto2015.org. TO2015™ reserves the right to withhold such consent, such right to be exercised in its sole and unfettered discretion.
