[weegee]

But if we all did it, would we all be banned? -- Or more to the point, could we all be sued?

I don't know. I think that FR may need to re-evaluate the policy of permitting newbies to initiate threads. That DUh link recommends that trolls post threads deliberately to initiate copyright lawsuits against FR.

Calling in the Viking Kitties for Zots aren't worth risking maliciously posted threads. Limit new threads to those who've posted 100 responses first.

It also helps to give a better track record when trolls sign up at FR.

The edict has already gone out, the posters at Democratic Underground seek to get Free Republic sued by posing as "FReepers". Do people still believe that those angry emails to Margaret Cho and others were all authored by genuine FReepers and conservatives?

[John Robinson]

I think that FR may need to re-evaluate the policy of permitting newbies to initiate threads. That DUh link recommends that trolls post threads deliberately to initiate copyright lawsuits against FR.

There is nothing stopping a person with that intent from posting full text in a reply then siccing the legal department. In most threads, such an insidious comment would likely keep unnoticed without attribution.

However, I don't believe this will be a problem if an earnest attempt is made to keep the site free of impermissible full text. Legal battles are costly. More so, such antics would land the troll himself in hot water with foul play being suspect.

Wishful thinking on their part.

[tpaine]

To: Mo1; Chad Fairbanks
To: Jim Robinson

Chad Fairbanks wrote:
Or, alternativly, as FReepers respond to the posted, excerpted article, they could "quote" the next paragraph in the article, and eventually the whole article is posted anyway, just in bits and pieces.

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That's an interesting idea
101 -Mo1-

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First proposed back in '98 when the WP/LA Times lawsuit first hit..
Naturally, -- as the owner, JR cannot even hint that we individuals can play this sort of game.
But if we all did it, would we all be banned? -- Or more to the point, could we all be sued?
140 tpaine


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I don't know.
-- That DUh link recommends that trolls post threads deliberately to initiate copyright lawsuits against FR.
-WeGe-

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You're misssing the point.
If individuals use their fair use right to post portions of excerpted articles in the body of a thread, -- FR cannot be held responsible.

JR & the mods cannot reasonably be expected to monitor every comment on every thread.

Sure, individuals could be charged with ignoring copywrite, and no doubt could be sued.

But I doubt if JR could be forced to do more than delete 'offending' posts, if & when they were brought to his attention.
Big IF..

[Political Junkie Too]

That DUh link recommends that trolls post threads deliberately to initiate copyright lawsuits against FR.

Wouldn't that be something like conspiracy to commit fraud? If it can be proven that somebody did that, can't they be charged?

-PJ