dan@aplvax.UUCP (08/10/83)
It has been pointed out that one might be prosecuted for libel on the basis of what one sends out across the net. This raises several interesting points. In addition to libel, there are other crimes of which one could be charged due to one's use of the net. For example, interstate use of a public mail system to transmit obscene materials. Another: if on net.flame I admit to speeding (eg: "I usually travel at 60-65 mph), could this be used as evidence against me in a court of law? Further, how can it be determined that the supposed sender is the real offender. Maybe someone just used his password. Does the sending of net mail under someone else's name constitute a case of forgery. Can forgerers be prosecutued? Anyway, if there is sufficient interest, I propose the formation of a group "net.legal" to discuss such questions. Comments please (use mail). Dan Sunday
rcj@burl.UUCP (08/12/83)
I am very interested in the legal implications of certain aspects of netnewslife, and I know a LOT of other people who are as well. For that reason, I vote a resounding NO to the proposed net.legal -- all we would ever see would be opinions, rumors, hearsay, and BS. It is one thing to post to net.auto and say "You can fix that problem by replacing your carburetor (sp?)" and be wrong about it. It is quite another to have people start reading (and believing, you know they will because the BS artists on this net speak with such authority) about what is legal and what is not. Also, it is very likely that Joe Schmoe can honestly say that replacing your carburetor will fix your problem with your car because there is a good chance that it has happened to him in the recent past. How many people do you know who can say "Yes, I was sued/sued someone for libel only last month, and ..." In other words, why start a newsgroup whose posters will 95% sure not know whether what they are saying is true or not, no matter how much they believe that it is true; particularly a group as potentially dangerous as net.legal. Any lawyer/legal assistant/senior law student types out there please feel free to identify yourself and your credentials to me via electronic mail; I will gladly post a summary to the net as soon as the deluge of replies dies down. :-) -- The MAD Programmer -- 919-228-3814 (Cornet 291) alias: Curtis Jackson ...![ floyd sb1 mhuxv ]!burl!rcj