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Possibly, but one of the examples was a link to Springer IP.

Not without issues, at least, they would be de-indexed by Clarivate et al.

"Legally", could Elsevier get into trouble for offering unequivocal evidence that they don't care about their claimed copyrights and they don't actually consider Sci-hub infringing?

I see what you're saying about the journal contributing to the legitimacy of what they are purporting to be illegitimate, it's an interesting point.

I would like to add separately however for people unfamiliar with sci-hub, I am unaware of any copyright infringement issues of linking to or downloading from sci-hub. Sharing or downloading links has never been copyright infringement. Distribution is, which is why sci-hub is based in a separate jurisdiction (Russia I believe) that does not recognize US copyright claims.

Linking can be copyright infringement ("communication to the public" and therefore in need of permission by default) in EU, if the judge dislikes you enough. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GS_Media_v_Sanoma https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2017/06/breaking-cjeu-says-tha...