How to Copy and Select Text from Snopes.com

Contributor Icon Contributed by davak Date Icon November 29, 2008  
Tag Icon Tagged: Browsers

I really like Snopes. I really do. However, they use a stupid javascript command to prevent people from selecting and copying the text on their web pages. Here is how to defeat their defenses.

Now, I really despise people that steal tech-recipes material by copying and pasting into their websites. This confuses google and steals traffic away from us. However, to break a basic part of the web to stop this is inexcusable. Shame on Snopes. Shame.

Snopes uses a little bit of javascript to prevent people from selecting text on their website. If you can not select it, you cannot copy it. Snopes does this so people will have to send the URL to the page instead of just copying and pasting the text. Breaking part of the web browsing experience just to make a buck is poor form.

To override the evil of snopes, just past the following into the address bar of your browser and press ENTER:

javascript:void(document.onselectstart=null)

After doing this, you can select text and copy until your heart is content.

snopes select text

Wouldn’t it be funny if somebody started an email about the evilness of snopes breaking the rules of friendly web browsing? Then snopes would have to respond to their own “urban legend.” I say it is TRUE! :)

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  • RickyF
    You can also add the JSView Firefox add-on and then click on the JS icon in the right-side of the status bar to turn off the JavaScript on any page.
  • AlanB
    Neither the JS code from the article nor JSView seem to do anything for me.
  • I was going to say something similar - NoScript for Firefox does the trick for me. Just ensure that scripts aren't allowed for Snopes.com and it works a treat.
  • AlanB
    NoScript is the only thing that actually works. If you read the scripts on the Snopes site you will understand why.
  • Art
    Great tip - Snopes has always been difficult to copy - if you have Vista, the Snipping Tool will do just fine, too. I find the Snipping Tool invaluable.
  • CW
    Not working for me in Camino.
    Works in Safari. Does anyone know why this doesn't work in Camino?
  • SteveS
    I don't get it - you despise those who steal from you... "Now, I really despise people that steal tech-recipes material by copying and pasting into their websites" yet you have no problem showing others how to steal from Snopes? Doesn't really matter if people aren't copying that content to be used as their own to profit from, you're bypassing their site which could affect them negatively should they decide to want to allow advertising on it someday.

    "Breaking part of the web browsing experience just to make a buck"? Where are they making a buck here? I don't see any advertising on their site, and even if there were, I'd say they've got every right to cover their hosting costs and make a few bucks on the side if possible.

    I'd agree that most javascripts to block copying are pretty silly, but can't fault them for doing this especially with people so eager to copy their content.
  • Lynne
    Yep, I tried JSView and the browser entry...but had to go to use the NoScript Firefox add-on to get it to work as well.
  • Prakash
    I tried what you recommended. It did not work in Firefox 3.0.4

    There is a simpler method. Juct convert the page to a pdf doc. Then cut and paste from there.
  • Don
    USE A BOOKMARKLET
    In Google Chrome of Windows XP I created a new page on the bookmark bar (right click on the bar) named "Void Script". Then I added the script in place of a URL. When on a page thats is blocked I just click on the bookmarkelt.

    GREAT WITH GOOGLE NOTES
    When researching a topic, Google Notes is great--like a bookmark with sampled text and images added. But it requires highlighting the text & images. Now I can use it on more sites
  • joyce Routman
    how can I send information to SNOPES when I don't have a proper address???
  • Sean
    Thanks! This works great in IE but not in Firefox. This is definitely poor form for snopes. Not allowing people to copy article text just results in people spending time figuring out how to work around the problem rather than causing them to only send a link. Besides, I like to include key paragraphs from snopes (in addition to the link) when I reply to the ridiculous chain emails I get so as to summarize the info for the people who clearly don't do much reading and reasoning on their own.
  • Grimpen
    It is bad form. I have a standard sort of format when I respond to people who send me these Urban Legends and whatnot. I offer a link to my primary or most representative source for refuting the claim, and then usually a little snippet of text for those too lazy to follow the link. Basically Snopes breaks my ability to quote them, which makes it more likely I'll go with a Wikipedia link and quote, so why do they do it?
  • maxappet1te
    firefox 3.0.8

    I only ctrl + a ; copy + paste then edit

    no problems with snopes, don't know about others

    - maxappet1te
  • adoxa
    Tried your advice many times (in Firefox) and it does not help one iota. What am I doing wrong??

    I use this in the browser as suggested. Snopes will not budge.
    javascript:void(document.onselectstart=null)
  • Excellent tip! But the onselectstart event is only supported in IE. For Firefox or other "A-Grade" browsers, use onmousedown like this:

    javascript:void(document.onmousedown=null)

    Probably should update the original post to reflect, since it seems like I wasn't the only person who tried the instructions and found they didn't work. Haven't you heard? IE is an endangered species!
  • Also, you can drag this URL into your link bar or make a bookmark with this location, to quickly perform this action on any (snopes) page. Probably will also work with pages that disable right-clicking, so it may be a useful "bookmarklet" ... thanks again!
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