perfidy

I don't remember how I got to it, but Ken Layne is having some fun with the linking rules established by the nasty bureaucrats of the Athens Olympic Games. Apparently, the internet department has some rather authoritarian ideas about how one should go about linking the games' website:

For your protection and ours we have established a procedure for parties wishing to introduce a link to the ATHENS 2004 website on their site. By introducing a link to the ATHENS 2004 official Website on your site you are agreeing to comply with the ATHENS 2004 Website General Terms and Conditions. In order to place a link embedded in copy interested parties should:

a) Use the term ATHENS 2004 only, and no other term as the text referent

b) Not associate the link with any image, esp. the ATHENS 2004 Emblem (see paragraph below)

c) Send a request letter to the Internet Department stating:

Short description of site
Reason for linking
Unique URL containing the link (if no unique URL than just the main URL)
Publishing period
Contact point (e-mail address)

Once the request has been mailed, interested parties can proceed to include the link and will only receive a response if ATHENS 2004 does not accept the link. All requests should be sent to: 

The Internet Department
Iolkou 8 and Filikis Eterias str.
GR-142 34 N. Ionia, Athens

On further research, Ken discovered that there are also rules about linking to the Olypic logo:

Incredible.

There are additional rules if you'd like to use one of their stupid little gifs, and Big Trouble awaits should you dare to use an image of the stupid little Olympic circles:

"Linking using the Olympic Emblem is strictly prohibited as the Olympic Emblem, Trademarks and Terms are duly registered internationally and are protected under existing legislation (as defined in article 2 of Greek law 2819/2000). Parties wishing to use the emblem are requested to contact the ATHENS 2004 Internet Department (see address above). Permission to use these properties as links will be granted only under special circumstances."

Because of his deep concern for the people making these rules, Ken created this special logo:

Some others got into the game as well.
 

posted by chicobangs at 4:51 PM CST on August 16 Chico, is that a new demonstration sport? And BTW, DrJohn, I ate an Atkins bagel today, toasted with CarbOptions Peanut Butter! -- posted by billsaysthis at 5:16 PM CST on August 16

Tasty, yet morally ambiguous. -- posted by DrJohnEvans at 9:53 AM CST on August 17

Chico, I have nothing to add except for the fact that that's the best picture I've ever seen anywhere. -- posted by Samsonov14 at 1:16 PM CST on August 17

Chico, is that a new demonstration sport?

Yes, it's called Mexican Farm Animal Stacking and the Antarcticans dominate the sport. Them penguins can stack the fuck out of some farm animals. -- posted by NoMich at 1:26 PM CST on August 17

Indeed. Mexican Farm Animal Stacking will, I think, become a very popular Olympic event. It is even possible that this man will someday win the Mexican Farm Animal Stacking gold medal: