Forum owners liable.

[Xandax]

A Hamburg court have ruled that forum owners are liable for what goes on in their forums:
http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/72085

I am not sure whether similar rulings has been made in other countries, but I could think that there is something similar in effect in the US, however it is speculations.
I do not know of any such ruling in Denmark (yet), however there have been somewhat related cases where providers of chat-services have been ruled to more actively moderate what happens on the site due to the site being used to organise beatings of school-kids by school-kids (amongst other things)


Thoughts?

Personally - I'm a bit torn about this, because I can see both the pros and cons (maybe because I'm both moderator and user at this site). I fully see the reasons for keeping strict rules as to what is allowed and not allowed, however, I do not hope the cup will flow over and we can't debate for instance actions of companies etc withouth holding (in GB's case) Buck liable, if the company in question disagreered with the opinions posted and thought them slander or such.

[Damuna_Nova]

Eep.

[Vicsun]

The statements refers to web forums as an "especially dangerous feature." Those who operate such a source of trouble, the court argued, must be held especially liable.

Never before have words been so sinister and dangerous!

[mr_sir]

I can understand them being strict on potentially illegal content but surely they can't get upset on a comment or discussion about a particular company or something - what about freedom of speech?

[Magrus]

I believe that is how it works in the US actually. The website I co-moderate, a user agreement was "signed" via an electronitic thing (IE "click here if you agree") that says you are responsible for following the rules and enforcing them on your board. Syberis is liable for whatever happens on our board.

[Denethorn]

Seems fair to be honest. Many forums and other 'database' type websites utilise this loophole to propagate illegal activities - corporations are forced to notify the webmaster of each individual issue before they are obliged to take action.

Effectively piracy forums are running largely invulnerable.

[Aramant]

On a similar note...