Computer newbies: Is it true?
Is it true?
by Kate2 - 5/6/05 5:06 AMThat sharing private emails with discussion groups is illegal?
Whose "law?"
by R. Proffitt
- 5/6/05 5:50 AM
In reply to: Is it true? by Kate2
This is a public WORLD forum so laws and jurisdiction can't be easily determined.
Let's write that you should follow your local law and give unto Caesar what is Caesars.
Bob
Re:whose "law"
by Kate2 - 5/6/05 6:05 AM In reply to: Whose "law?" by R. Proffitt
Okay in ENglish that means what? I best give some background. I recently learned this week that online journals are subject to rude and insensitve comments by readers for whatever reason. That basically because its the internet "anything goes". I was relating the hurt I felt when I received a critique of my online blog ot my list and some of them said in genralization that is part of the internet. I tried to share the link (which I wasn't able to do very well) and I felt she was dismissive and rude. The past week was fighting name calling etc and basically was told to grow up and deal withit. Not only on the discussion list but on a forum for the said onling journal. I asked for help and they gave me answers I was not happy with.
I sent a private email to a person and they responded and I shared it with the list. That person tells me it was illegal in some instances. She felt she was being vicitimized and such.
If I don't like something and I feel the other person is not being respectful I tend to get angry. (Okay tmi)
This law.
by R. Proffitt - 5/6/05 6:28 AM
In reply to: Re:whose "law" by Kate2
Treat others as you want to be treated. If you don't want your email replies posted in the open, then don't do that to others.
To press that there is a "law" in such matters is not unlike nailing jello to a wall. After you get the jello nailed in place, you proceed to herding cats.
Bob
oh good thanks
by Kate2 - 5/6/05 6:39 AM In reply to: This law. by R. Proffitt
I thought that was the case. THank you. I also try to live by that rule but apparently there seems to be a double standard on the net.
Note: When I am in hurry I tend to skip words at typing so I hope I was coherent enough.
The
by anad - 5/10/05 7:47 AM In reply to: Re:whose "law" by Kate2By responding to you in this forum format I am also making my response visible to anyone who cares to visit this site. Therefore you, or anyone else, can consider it public and reproduce and send it to anyone you chose.
On the other hand, if I respond to you via e-mail it should indicate it is a private message otherwise I would have used the forum format. This applies to all e-mail messages regardless of the content.
If you requested my home address via the forum and I sent it to you via e-mail (I realize this would be dumb) would you then post a copy on a public forum? I think not.
It looks like this was a case of name calling that got out of hand (they usually do get out of hand) and they usually come to naught. I doubt anyone will go to court over these types of instances but it may be wise to handle it with skillful and benign neglect.
As to the legality, that is a call only an attorney is qualified make.
Last, but certainly not least, Kate, I am sympathetic and empathetic with your situation. I have been there and it is not pleasant. However, that is the way it is on many forums, bulletin boards or whatever. They are a platform for some unpleasant and mean people to vent their spleen. (Fortunately "Computer Newbies" is not one of them). There seems to be a "pack mentality" and first one decides to snarl at you and the rest of the pack joined in. Ignore them!!!
DC
Law
by RockMTL - 5/6/05 8:33 AM In reply to: Is it true? by Kate2Kate; I don't want to go overboard here, nor scare anyone, and I'm sorry if I'm going off the track, but as soon as you mentioned sharing private e-mails on line, scares me. Laws or not Kate and I don't know how long you've been on the internet, but be carefull. There are a lot of people out there that can be nasty, especially with private stuff, so be very carefull who and what you share on the internet.
Sorry if I over stepped my bounds.
re:Law
by Kate2 - 5/6/05 10:37 AM In reply to: Law by RockMTLNo you were fine. All week long I have been told that I disregard what others have been saying. I am a firm believer that what ever comes into my mailbox is mine to do with whatever. This was just one of many issues I had this week and i am trying to find out if I was in the wrong or could this person take legal action if she wanted to.
Consider this...
by Edward ODaniel - 5/6/05 12:29 PM In reply to: re:Law by Kate2Bob's suggestion is what you should consider because IF you want to make waves and go against another person's wishes with their correspondence you must consider the very simple fact that the person who wrote the message holds a valid and enforcable copyright to it and could, if they desire and have deep pockets or friends, pettion the courts for redress under current copyright laws.
If you are unfamiliar with copyright laws here is a good place to start - http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
Rule of thumb, if the author says they do not want something done with their material (such as posting it in newsgroups) DON'T POST IT! Saves a lot of heartburn, misery, and high blood pressure.
I tend to disagree though
by MarkFlax - 5/7/05 12:36 PM
In reply to: Consider this... by Edward ODaniel
It would have to be "expressly stated" in the email that the contents of the email are not for publication. The fact that the person who sent the email actually did send it may sway any court of law that it was no longer private. If the sender wanted to say something but not wanted it published anywhere, even in an email, then the email should not have been written in the first place.
I agree that Copyright might appear to cover emails but the US Copyright law says "Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:"
I don't see that an ordinary, everyday email is a piece of "work". It is a message. It is not literary, dramatic, musical or artisitc, and whether it is an intellectual piece of work would probably be argued against.
Having said all that, I agree with Edward and with Bob, that emails are generally private messages, and should remain as such. Like Bob says, if you don't want other people to publish your emails, then you would do well not to publish other people's.
Mark
thank you all for your input
by Kate2 - 5/9/05 10:36 AM In reply to: I tend to disagree though by MarkFlax
however, I have seen emails shared all over the net. I usually share with people I trust. I want to get a second opinion on a discussion or to validate my viewpoints.
I know for a fact that my mother who is on several boards have email discussions on certain projects or anything related to the particular board she is on.
Again it will be something to be aware of for future references.
RE
by Ohio - 5/10/05 11:27 AM In reply to: thank you all for your input by Kate2If I send you an email or private message via a forum/bulletin board. It is customarily and common courtesy for it to be treated as just that, a private message. If I wanted it to be public spectacle, I would post the message on open forum. As it is, unless the author of the email copyrights the content before sending, then it is not protected material. There is no law protecting email, conversations, ect from being reproduced/distributed. There are exceptions, but not in the private sector, exceptions exist in the corporate sector. So its not a question of legallity but a question of ethics and honor and whether you choose to possess either. No one can make you do the "right" thing, but they can make your virtual life living hell. Mass mailing of viruses, personal attacks on forums, signing up your email on every freebee and porn site they can find so you get 1000s of spam mails a day. I've seen alot happen for far less offenses, so keep that in mind.
Now, my advice about blogs and forums. If you don't want your comments to be subjected to ridicule, then don't post them. Or use a more restricted blog site and only allow access and comments from those you approve that will reply with what you want to hear. Otherwise, learn to take the replies with a grain of salt, because when its all said and done, at the end of the day, the single grain of salt still holds more value.
Best of luck
" could this person take legal action if she wanted to?" Yes
by anad - 5/11/05 9:00 AM In reply to: re:Law by Kate2She sure can but would she be successful?
Anyone can take "legal action" for any reason. It happens all the time. I had an acquaintance who made a pretty good living suing for all manner of reasons. (I would not allow him in my house or car nor would I enter his.)
The question you need answered is, can she make a case against you?
This is a matter for an attorney and no attorney I know would respond to your question on this forum.
DC
thank you again
by Kate2 - 5/12/05 12:06 PM In reply to: " could this person take legal action if she wanted to?" Yes by anadwell all that you have said is very good to be aware of.
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