Sep 3rd 2009 2:43PM
How is DMOZ Data Used?
A lot of our blog posts are dedicated to exploring the internal workings of the directory or the way in which DMOZ grows, but we don't often talk about how the data is used once it's included in the directory. While the stand-alone DMOZ directory is an excellent resource, many of the information-seekers who benefit from directory content come into contact with it through third-party sites that use the data.
You may have heard DMOZ called by another name – the Open Directory Project, or ODP. This is where the "Open" comes in. The DMOZ license agreement states that users may download the RDF – in other words, the entire contents of the directory – and use some or all of it on their sites free of charge. Many sites both large and small incorporate data compiled by our dedicated corps of volunteer editors. The best-known example of this may be the Google Directory which applies Google's propriety PageRank data to DMOZ results. In other cases, site owners use a small portion of the data relevant to their own regions, localities or lines of business.
In exchange for use of the data, site owners agree to include an attribution badge to ensure that the editors get credit for the work they do to build and maintain the directory. The badge is also important in that it allows interested users to learn more about the project and, potentially, to decide to join us as editors to help it grow. There are some fairly common questions about how and when the badge must be displayed. Examples include:
1. I am only using a very small portion of the data – just one category, or even just a few links. Do I have to display the badge?
Yes. You may use all or part of the directory data on your site, but any quantity of ODP data (large or small) you select must be acknowledged with the badge.
2. I am including my own data in addition to DMOZ data. Do I have to display the badge?
Yes. The license's badging requirement also applies to any derivative works created by end users.
3. I run my own directory and accept my own site submissions in addition to the DMOZ-listed sites. Do I have to display the badge?
Yes. The rules here are the same as with any other derivative work.
4. Are there any circumstances in which I can use data and not display the badge?
The short answer is no. Any use of DMOZ data must be acknowledged in accordance with the license.
Sites that do not display the badge are in violation of the license agreement. Site owners may be contacted by DMOZ and asked to make the appropriate updates in order to comply.
You can read more about the DMOZ license requirements here and download a code snippet to add the badge to your site here.
You may have heard DMOZ called by another name – the Open Directory Project, or ODP. This is where the "Open" comes in. The DMOZ license agreement states that users may download the RDF – in other words, the entire contents of the directory – and use some or all of it on their sites free of charge. Many sites both large and small incorporate data compiled by our dedicated corps of volunteer editors. The best-known example of this may be the Google Directory which applies Google's propriety PageRank data to DMOZ results. In other cases, site owners use a small portion of the data relevant to their own regions, localities or lines of business.
In exchange for use of the data, site owners agree to include an attribution badge to ensure that the editors get credit for the work they do to build and maintain the directory. The badge is also important in that it allows interested users to learn more about the project and, potentially, to decide to join us as editors to help it grow. There are some fairly common questions about how and when the badge must be displayed. Examples include:
1. I am only using a very small portion of the data – just one category, or even just a few links. Do I have to display the badge?
Yes. You may use all or part of the directory data on your site, but any quantity of ODP data (large or small) you select must be acknowledged with the badge.
2. I am including my own data in addition to DMOZ data. Do I have to display the badge?
Yes. The license's badging requirement also applies to any derivative works created by end users.
3. I run my own directory and accept my own site submissions in addition to the DMOZ-listed sites. Do I have to display the badge?
Yes. The rules here are the same as with any other derivative work.
4. Are there any circumstances in which I can use data and not display the badge?
The short answer is no. Any use of DMOZ data must be acknowledged in accordance with the license.
Sites that do not display the badge are in violation of the license agreement. Site owners may be contacted by DMOZ and asked to make the appropriate updates in order to comply.
You can read more about the DMOZ license requirements here and download a code snippet to add the badge to your site here.
1. Can you please clarify the following case: a search engine wants to use descriptions from DMOZ in the search results (for sites listed in DMOZ) - does the search engine have to display the badge?
Posted at 1:41PM on Sep 4th 2009 by Christof Meerwald
2. Dear editors category: Emily Kayser
First of all thank for your dedication!
My site has been submitted to the directory you are editing, and submission of information as follows:
Submission categories: Regional: Asia: China: Guangdong: Foshan: Business and Economy: Industrial
Title of Site: HuShun XianZe Switch
Site Description: Button switch, LED light, micro switch, waterproof switch, rotary switch, dumping switches, industrial electronics, home appliances.
Thank you very much!
Posted at 5:08AM on Sep 5th 2009 by HuShun XianZe Switch
3. I would like to heard the answer to the question in comment number 1 too!
Posted at 8:48PM on Sep 6th 2009 by CAPRI
4. I would think twice if I was you before declaring content of ODP as your own and then ask Public to place attributes to something that doesn't belong to you in a first place.
I’m talking about sites Editors are adding to ODP Index without site owner’s permission. You will find more on this subject published in DP article http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showpost.php?s=4de36d9efec0a570d8b77a4c486e5bb4&p=12400365&postcount=121
Posted at 6:01PM on Sep 6th 2009 by fastreplies
5. @CAPRI
I'm sure Dear Emily will never answer this question.
If she says YES, then she will look like the biggest Idiot
Is she says NO, then ODP Rule is nothing more than a joke because it must be applicable to everyone equally without any exemptions or must be scrubbed.
So, Emily just dug big comfortable hole, big enough to lay to rest ODP and herself in it.
Good job Emily
;)
Posted at 12:55AM on Sep 7th 2009 by fastreplies
6. The ODP/DMOZ licence assumes that the user is going to use the data as originally intended (i.e. embed it as a directory in a site). Potentially people can use the data in hundreds of ways that would be difficult to badge.
So, like any other license anywhere, if you find out that a licence does not allow you to do what you wish, you would contact the people issueing the license and ask them what you should do in the circumstances, and asking for, effectively, a modified license.
Like any other organisation, it is impossible for the ODP/DMOZ to second guess the sum total of human ingenuity in this respect in order to create a definitive license that covers all possible circumstances.
Posted at 9:14AM on Sep 7th 2009 by Eric-the-Bun
7. A possible example is here http://publisher.yahoo.com/sps/ysp.php under the section 'web search' which covers the question posed.
It is quite probable that Yahoo sorted something out with the ODP but, note, until/unless the license is modified, just because Yahoo does it, doesn't mean everyone can.
The onus is on the user to the data to comply either by following the license or by getting special permission to do otherwise.
Posted at 9:38AM on Sep 7th 2009 by Eric-the-Bun
8. @ Christof Meerwald: This is a great question about a very specific special case. I will ask for guidance on how best to handle this under the current license agreement.
Posted at 1:35PM on Sep 7th 2009 by Emily Kayser
9. Good idea Emily,
While you’re seeking legal opinion, ask AOL lawyers if you have right to ask for attribution given that your data contains illegally obtained materials which by itself are subject to Copyrights Laws.
Asking others to acknowledge your rights to such material is going to make them a subject to the same Copyrights Laws violations which your own organization is engaged for some time now.
;)
fastreplies
Posted at 2:52PM on Sep 7th 2009 by fastreplies
10. Wrong and i am right all written post is publicly wrong?
Posted at 1:27AM on Sep 10th 2009 by pawan
11. How to rectify if a Site URL was indicated wrongly and submitted to dmoz?
Posted at 11:27PM on Sep 16th 2009 by Jolyn Lim
12. hello, I add my site for more than 1 year to
directory and not get answers. How can I contact
with the editor:
Top: World: Español: Regional: América: Argentina: Provincias: Buenos Aires: Partidos: La Costa
Posted at 10:27AM on Sep 17th 2009 by lucas
13. the site is my blog,and it's collect my own opions for the business in Shanghai.I want to sbmit to ODP.The question is:the blog site can be in your directory?
Posted at 9:34PM on Sep 17th 2009 by shanghai focus
14. hello, its great that dmoz finally has a blog. I have been reading a few posts and i could not understand yet how there are some seo's who offers a 100% guarantee that you will be listed in dmoz .
I have tried to be listed in the Open dmoz directory for almost 1 year with no luck.thanks,
Posted at 10:20AM on Sep 21st 2009 by net strategy
15. I have been trying to get my companies site onto DMOZ now for three months, I know that I have the right category because I chose the same category as our biggest competitor and we do the exact same thing. I was wondering if there is a way to check to see if my submission has been reviewed or if it was just denied? I would just like to know so that if I was denied I don't waste my time trying again or if the editor is just busy and hasn't gotten to my submission just yet. Thank You
Posted at 10:21AM on Sep 21st 2009 by Aaron Shrider
16. will you contact the sites who are violating your license? I listed few of them in my blog
http://web-search-techniques.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-is-dmoz-data-used-dmoz-badge.html
Posted at 12:17AM on Sep 22nd 2009 by ravi
17. Do people still work for DMOZ?
Not sure if I am in the right section but I reported a case of abuse 2 years and 11 days ago and when I check for any results I just keep getting:
"Its current status is new - This report has not yet been investigated. We aim to do so at the earliest possible opportunity. :)"
Posted at 10:41AM on Sep 22nd 2009 by Michael
18. 8. @ Christof Meerwald: This is a great question about a very specific special case. I will ask for guidance on how best to handle this under the current license agreement.
Posted at 1:35PM on Sep 7th 2009 by Emily Kayser
How much time do you need to contact your bosses and to give us an answer Emily?
Or maybe you put yourself and DMOZ in the corner and we are not going to ever hear from you again.
You have 2 legitimate questions about subject you yourself brought in here as an issue and if we don't here from you soon, then don't be surprised somebody sues DMOZ for Copyrights violations.
Ask Jim Noble, after all he is the one who is in charge making your rules.
fastreplies
Posted at 3:26AM on Sep 23rd 2009 by fastreplies
19. i like seo,and i want to learn more knowledge with domz' friends!
Posted at 8:31PM on Sep 23rd 2009 by xiaowang
20. Very nice list,thank you very much.
Posted at 11:19PM on Sep 27th 2009 by pretty-tiffany