This is just a reminder why we have to be careful what we publish on the Net. Some guy is running what amounts to a hobby forum and gets sued constantly by a couple of oddball people who want control over things they cannot legally control.
Notice how I worded that neutrally. I published a link to an article without copying any of the text, not even a fair use sample. I'm pretending to be afraid of lawsuits.
Of course, it's all supposed to be ridiculous, even funny, particularly how I worded it. But in all seriousness, it also explains the value of avoiding naming names, and why anyone would seek anonymity on the Internet. A court could force the service providers to give up one's identity, but a warrant of that sort is not something a litigant could get for free. So far as I know, what's called "discovery process" cannot be gained without lawyers and fees. That freebie stuff applies only when you already have all the evidence you need for a claim.
It's one thing to be open and honest, taking responsibility for what you say and do in the real world. But the Internet is a madhouse. It can sometimes be bent to a good purpose, but it is increasingly ludicrous how it's used by the cranks in this world (people who take themselves too seriously). I believe we've done a good job so far of avoiding stuff that would get our host sued, but sometimes it bears a little reminding of where the boundaries are. On the other hand, if you risk nothing, you do nothing.
Notice how I worded that neutrally. I published a link to an article without copying any of the text, not even a fair use sample. I'm pretending to be afraid of lawsuits.
Of course, it's all supposed to be ridiculous, even funny, particularly how I worded it. But in all seriousness, it also explains the value of avoiding naming names, and why anyone would seek anonymity on the Internet. A court could force the service providers to give up one's identity, but a warrant of that sort is not something a litigant could get for free. So far as I know, what's called "discovery process" cannot be gained without lawyers and fees. That freebie stuff applies only when you already have all the evidence you need for a claim.
It's one thing to be open and honest, taking responsibility for what you say and do in the real world. But the Internet is a madhouse. It can sometimes be bent to a good purpose, but it is increasingly ludicrous how it's used by the cranks in this world (people who take themselves too seriously). I believe we've done a good job so far of avoiding stuff that would get our host sued, but sometimes it bears a little reminding of where the boundaries are. On the other hand, if you risk nothing, you do nothing.
