Framing in HTML for the Web

When a Web site displays a Web page divided into separate frames, linking out to other Web sites can become a copyright issue. When the Web page of another individual/company is pulled into the borders of one of your frames, you have, essentially, altered the display of those contents. It is now "framed" by your site's page and cannot be bookmarked by the user. The bookmark is for your page, not the site you have pulled into your frame set. The URL or domain name of the site pulled into the frame is not displayed.

This framing can trigger a dispute under copyright and trademark law because a framed site arguably alters the appearance of the content and creates the impression that its owner endorses or voluntarily chooses to associate with your site. There have been suits on this, and those framing the other sites had to agree to stop their framing procedure. Courts have reasoned that the addition of the frame modified the appearance of the linked site, and such modifications could, without authorization, amount to infringement.

The best course of action you can take when using frames on your Web site is to be sure that ALL outgoing URLs have the attribute TARGET="_TOP" added to the anchor (A) tag, right after the URL. This ensures that the link breaks out of the frame, and, thus, prevents the possibility of an infringement suit. If you do not wish the reader to leave your site, you can add TARGET="NEW_WINDOW" after the URL. This will open a new window in front of your site, leaving your site window open yet not framing the other person's/company's page.