Inline linking

In HTML, inline linking is the placing of a linked object, often an image, from one site in a page belonging to a second site. The second site is said to have an inline link to the one where the object is located. It's used for such activities as linking images from personal home page storage into the online diary of the person controllling the personal home page.

This has sometimes been controversial because it is possible that the site where the object is stored and from which it is retrieved will not like the new placement or will consider it to be bandwidth theft.

Inline linking of images raises many ethical concerns. It may create legal problems, as well. In 2003 the legal status of inline liking had not been completely resolved and cases such as the US Kelly v. Arriba Soft Corporation were still resolving aspects of fair use and copyright infringement.