Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

cool I actually got to read a thread before it was deleted

I'm so happy I just had to post it twice.

[Edited by Wurzel - 10/9/2002 1:31:11 PM]

ex-webby

I've just deleted a thread entitled "BIG BROTHER...." due to potentially libellous material.

All the best

Simon

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

cool I actually got to read a thread before it was deleted

Trouser @ TSL

Oops sorry mate... tried to be careful with my wording and stick to the facts. .. soz if it got you in bother

Cheers

Paul
TSL

Sideways

BB five from the Moderators

Why libelous its Trousers opinion and I agreed with him

Jas

P.S. hope disagreeing with IM doesn't invalidate my warranty ??

CraigH

If it was my comment about the IM CIA I apologise - they're not like the CIA at all - they're more covert than that

All IMO of course as an unworthy traitorous import owner

Scooby Dooby Blue

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Well all I can say is that if IM could take offence, they must have nowt better to do. Maybe they should try giving us some PROPER service, eh guys? And how about getting a few more dealerships lined up, not closing down? IMHO of course:
Alcazar

ex-webby

Just to clarify

Nobody contacted me about this thread. I was showing due diligence (sp?) as is required to give us a chance in hell should ANYTHING whether relating to that thread / company or any other thread / company go to court.

All the best

Simon

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

And there was me thinking Britain was one of the only countries in the world that openly allowed freedom of Speech well I see I was wrong again oh well spose I had better get back to polishing my bosses shoes

chiark

Wurzel, there's a price associated with that freedom, namely damages and fees that come with libellous and slanderous comments. Scoobynet has to disassoicate itself from those.

Remember demon were found guilty of something for failing to remove libellous posts? That sets a legal precedent for Scoobynet...

So, yes, speech is free providing there's nothing libellous and slanderous about it.

chockymonster

Chiark,

I hear what you are saying, but demon only got into trouble when they refused to remove a post after they were asked to remove it.
If IM asked you to remove it then removing it is the thing to do.

DavidRB

It's Simon's BBS. He can do what he wants. Freedom of speech has nothing to do with a private enterprise.

Given the choice between libellous threads and no Scoobynet, I know where my vote would go.

[Edited by DavidRB - 10/10/2002 5:55:52 PM]

ex-webby

Hi chockymonster

Unfortunately (for all of us) it's not even THAT simple. If something slanderous was posted on scoobynet about CompanyX.. then CompanyX asked us to remove it, and we did immediately... there is still a chance they could sue us.

We have to be able to show a history of due diligence in order to convince a jury (and our insurers) that we did everything in our power to keep the board slander / libell free.

The only other option is to have all posts sit in a holding area until an admin accepts them before they appear on the board.

We have legal "issues" about twice every 3 months (recent estimate) and none of them have gone to court so far because our case is strong... if we didn't have such a strong case, more would go to court.. some of which we would win, and some we would lose. The ones we won, might still cost so much money to cover legal expenses that we would go bankrupt in the mean time.

This was not a REALLY BAD thread.. it was just one or two comments that were a little emotional rather than factual.

Freedom of Speech is a line we hear on every one of these kind of threads. Unfortunately, the realities of life and the legal system are not ours for the shaping.. we just have to follow them like everyone else!

All the best

Simon

chiark

Cheers Simon, I think that clears up the position perfectly