Hmmm ... there really is no difference between:

• A scraper that retrieves the whole page and just displays what you want
• A browser that blocks ads/graphics
• A person who has trained themselves to not view ads

I think this is part of the risk associated with any advertising - wether online or off. You think those little cards fall out of magazines is just accidental? Those cards fall out because it forces you to pick it up and look at it. Bingo, the advertise now has your attention.

Advertisers are well aware of the risks associated with online and offline campaigns. They're aware that not everyone who is delivered an ad is actually going to see an ad. Sure, they're not happy about it (ala Tivo) but they're going to have to change.

So my $0.02USD is go ahead and scrape ... it's not copy-righted material, it's your email (right, it is yours right). Let Yahoo and it's advertisers fight over the biz implications of a non-effective campaign. At worst, all they can do really is deny you service. Big deal, get another one.

Or just bypass those services all together and buy yourself a web-hosting package. Those can be had for as little as $50USD a year and include email addresses. I use one of those so I can more easily switch ISPs (no need to worry about lock-in due to ISP controlled addresses).

-derby