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Old 05-18-2005, 02:34 PM  
Mr.Fiction
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Free Speech Land
Posts: 9,484
Quote:
Originally Posted by scoreman

These regs will be good for some (mostly lawyers) and significantly worse for others. For example, while paysites and freesites have alot of problems, places like premium newgroup providers like Easynews.com or Yahoo Groups will have to dramatically change their policies. Much of their business model relies on non documented postings. We could see these companies just phase out adult content altogether. This could result in a higher demand for adult product if the US Govt passes regs that restrict the proliferation of adult content in free areas. I think no matter what happens here you will see the better sites survive and grow stronger from all this.
Certain types of companies have been generally held non-liable for the actions of their customers. AOL or Yahoo is probably not going to be held responsible if some user posts a naked photo without 2257 info, the same as they aren't going to be held responsible if someone posts a death threat.

There was a thread yesterday saying that forums like GFY would have to keep 2257 information. That's ridiculous - Lensman cannot be held responsible if a GFY member posts a death threat on this board, and he will almost certainly not be held responsible if someone posts a photo without 2257 info.

There is a difference between a porn company posting movies to make a profit and a hosting company, ISP, or adult forum, where users may make their own posts or post their own content.

There would be serious free speech issues if Yahoo was suddenly legally responsible for all of the content posted or created by their members.
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