In fact, many people believe that in cyberspace, anything goes. Without proper knowledge, copyright laws can be easily broken. The ability to seamlessly connect or link to other sites is the hallmark of the Internet. Infringement by linking is yet another consideration which should be taken into account when adding links to a web page. Consent to link should be obtained when a link would violate commercial fair play or the owner has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Most sites provide a contact e-mail address.
Asking permission to link is as easy as sending an e-mail and definitely worth the time to avoid possible infringement. Copyright Law is complex, but the penalties for infringement are very harsh. Ignorance of the law may affect the amount of the award granted to the injured party, but you will still be held liable. Copyright owners have and will likely continue to sue. They will probably sue the University too, but that may not insulate the individual who took the allegedly infringing action from the full force of a lawsuit.