From my view our main goal "Be helpful" is met even if we add and refer to 3rd parties for special support. We need to make sure that the 3rd party support is described and clearly stated that it is provided by someone else.

Next steps:

• Put together a list of affected products.
• Discuss what are problematic things by product.
• Add a section to https://endoflife.date/contribute or https://github.com/endoflife-date/endoflife.date/wiki/Guiding-Principles to explain the rules for adding and mentioning third party support.

Interesting discussion. Let me add comment after a long time.

Personally, I do not like adding third-party support information directly to each page.
I’m concerned that mixing support from different providers on a single page will male misunderstandings.
I think 3rd party extended support is a type of distribution, and some conpany will switch 3rd vendor distribution sometime.

How about separating pages by vendor like OpenJDK distributions ?
By creating pages like "XXXX extended support by XXXX", each support will be clear.

But some rule may need to prevent much commercial contents.

"I’m concerned that mixing support from different providers on a single page will make misunderstandings."

What sort of misunderstandings? I feel that any user interested in support would click through to the supporting company website to get all the details. I doubt they would make a decision with just the information on these pages.

@marcwrobel @BiNZGi @captn3m0

Can you elaborate on in which countries it's the case that simply linking to another site would create legal liability? That seems like it'd make most of the internet effectively illegal, including social media sites.

Of course, not legal advice but I think ChatGPT's answer is helpful. My interpretation is that a simple link bears no legal responsibility. Anything more, such as an iframe, might.

Me: Assume there is a site that contains a directory of products. Is there any liability for linking to a different site that provides support for any of the products?

ChatGPT:
The question of liability for linking to another site that provides support for products can be complex and depends on several factors, including the nature of the link, the content of the linked site, and the jurisdiction in which the site operates. Here are some key considerations:

1. Nature of the Link

• Direct Links vs. Framing: Simply providing a hyperlink to another site is generally considered acceptable and is unlikely to incur liability. However, if the link is framed in a way that makes it appear as if the linked content is part of your site, this could lead to legal issues.
• Context of the Link: If the link is presented in a misleading way or implies endorsement of the linked site, this could potentially lead to liability.

2. Content of the Linked Site

• Legality of Content: If the linked site contains illegal content or infringes on intellectual property rights, linking to it could expose you to liability, especially if you are aware of the illegal content.
• Reputation and Misrepresentation: If the linked site misrepresents its relationship with your site or the products, this could lead to claims of defamation or false advertising.

3. Jurisdiction

• Local Laws: Different jurisdictions have varying laws regarding liability for links. In some places, there are safe harbor provisions that protect website owners from liability for user-generated content or links to third-party sites.
• International Considerations: If the linked site is based in a different country, international laws and treaties may also come into play.

4. Best Practices

• Disclaimers: Including a disclaimer stating that you do not endorse the linked site can help mitigate potential liability.
• Regular Monitoring: Regularly check the content of the linked site to ensure it remains appropriate and legal.
• Clear Communication: Clearly communicate the nature of the link and the relationship (or lack thereof) with the linked site.

Conclusion

In general, linking to another site that provides support for products is not inherently liable, but it is essential to consider the context, content, and legal framework surrounding the link. Consulting with a legal professional for specific advice tailored to your situation is always recommended.

What sort of misunderstandings? I feel that any user interested in support would click through to the supporting company website to get all the details. I doubt they would make a decision with just the information on these pages.

Personally, I strongly agree. User should research and compare.
However, unfortunately, there are people who do not do so.

I have seen people who continue using third-party support without realizing that the third-party support differs from the original support.
And this might be only my personal experience, but recently, I've noticed that quite a few people aren't aware that certain software is provided and supported by multiple vendors.

I felt that it would be better to clearly separate pages to reduce misunderstandings for such a users.

See also #7806 (comment).