Forums on websites

In article <mcnz5uk1u58z.1645l4vsmru70.dlg RemoveThis @40tude.net>, Tony Cortese
says...
 > On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 13:03:12 GMT, owen wrote:
 >
  > > What are the legal issues/problems reagarding a user forum-type page on a
  > > website. In particular regarding the web masters' responsibilities for
  > > content. Is it enough to display a disclaimer saying the webmaster accepts
  > > no responsibility for users' posts, or is there more to it, legally I mean.
  > >
  > > Some of these problems can be resolved using a 'membership' type system
  > > whereby users have to register before they can post. In which case we
  > > presumably run into more legal issues regarding storage of their details on
  > > a database. (name, email address etc).

No you don't. They agree to that by giving you the info, most of which
is optional.

  > > Any thoughts and/or URLs on this topic?
 >
 > A disclaimer should be enough. Posting to a forum is no different than
 > posting comments in a blog or uploading content to a website. No one is
 > liable. (but I am no lawyer so don't take my word for it)

Most free forms, phpBB, YaBB, etc, come with a disclaimer that must be
agreed to by users at the sign-up stage that usually says something
about them being responsible for their own rantings.

I'd go as far as adding another disclaimer to the bottom of pages
stating a similar thing. That should keep you covered.

If you get complaints you feel might be justified, and you don't want to
deal with an ambulance chaser, just remove the offending post and warn
the user.

--
Dan Ruscoe<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Forums on websites 

Dan wrote:
 > In article <mcnz5uk1u58z.1645l4vsmru70.dlg DeleteThis @40tude.net>, Tony Cortese
 > says...
  >> On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 13:03:12 GMT, owen wrote:
  >>
   >>> What are the legal issues/problems reagarding a user forum-type
   >>> page on a website. In particular regarding the web masters'
   >>> responsibilities for content. Is it enough to display a
   >>> disclaimer saying the webmaster accepts no responsibility for
   >>> users' posts, or is there more to it, legally I mean.
   >>>
   >>> Some of these problems can be resolved using a 'membership' type
   >>> system whereby users have to register before they can post. In
   >>> which case we presumably run into more legal issues regarding
   >>> storage of their details on a database. (name, email address etc).
 >
 > No you don't. They agree to that by giving you the info, most of which
 > is optional.
 >
   >>> Any thoughts and/or URLs on this topic?
  >>
  >> A disclaimer should be enough. Posting to a forum is no different
  >> than posting comments in a blog or uploading content to a website.
  >> No one is liable. (but I am no lawyer so don't take my word for it)
 >
 > Most free forms, phpBB, YaBB, etc, come with a disclaimer that must be
 > agreed to by users at the sign-up stage that usually says something
 > about them being responsible for their own rantings.
 >
 > I'd go as far as adding another disclaimer to the bottom of pages
 > stating a similar thing. That should keep you covered.
 >
 > If you get complaints you feel might be justified, and you don't want
 > to deal with an ambulance chaser, just remove the offending post and
 > warn the user.
 >
 > --
 > Dan Ruscoe

Disclaimer or not, if someone notifies you that kiddie porn or something
else illegal (warez, copyrighted pictures, etc.) has been posted and you do
not remove it in an expeditious manner, you'd best get your lawyer ready to
handle civil and/or criminal actions.
__
dp<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Forums on websites