Me and a couple buddies are working on a website that involves heavy user commenting, feedback, opinions, etc. We expect some posts to have content that we do not want. We are wondering: by running this website, what rights do we have? Is there some kind of guideline available?
IRresponsible. Not to nitpick or anything, but i don't have the rep to edit.
Chris Sobolewski
2009-10-07 18:45:52
EXCEPTION: Program threw unhandled NotAWordException at position "unresponsible". Refactor to "irresponsible?" :)
Matthew Jones
2009-10-07 18:46:48
fixed that for ya!
Byron Whitlock
2009-10-07 18:46:54
@ Byron Whitlock: Thanks! @ Matthew Jones: Use your ability to edit.
Georg
2009-10-07 19:19:29
EXCEPTION: While handling NotAWordException, program threw PunctuationInsideQuotesException: program terminated. @mat
Roger Pate
2010-05-18 07:00:07
+4
A:
Important note: never trust legal advice you obtain online. If you're concerned, you need to speak to an attorney.
Are you asking, for example, whether you have the right to delete or block posts that you don't like, or whether you can ban users you object to? Of course you can, it seems to me; it's your site.
A more pressing question is whether you bear any legal responsibility for material your users may post (e.g. material that violates libel or hate speech laws). That's a harder one, and may depend in part on the procedures you have in place; if you are actively moderating the site, you can be presumed to have approved anything that appears on it. Again, talk to a lawyer.
JacobM
2009-10-07 18:47:40
+3
A:
Put together Terms of Use, and spell out the user rights. Here is a template that you may find useful: http://ownterms.pbworks.com/Terms+of+Use+1
Have a lawyer review the document to ensure that it would hold up in court.
Igor ostrovsky
2009-10-07 18:49:21
terms of use! terms of service! disclaimer! privacy policy! Users are coming to you, not the other way around. DISCLAIMER: this is not real legal advice. go to a LAWYER. :)
Nona Urbiz
2009-10-07 19:55:01