Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!amd!eager From: eager@amd.UUCP (Mike Eager) Newsgroups: net.news.stargate Subject: Re: Monitoring net.sources is impossible Message-ID: <949@amd.UUCP> Date: Sat, 9-Feb-85 02:45:58 EST Article-I.D.: amd.949 Posted: Sat Feb 9 02:45:58 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Feb-85 05:18:54 EST References: <219@chalmers.UUCP> Organization: AMD Applications, Santa Clara, CA Lines: 20 > If a program transmitted via Stargate prints an obscene or libellous > message when it is run (or perhaps just on a particular date), is the > carrier/monitor/whoever legally liable? There are laws on the books which are applied to film processing. It is against the law to send obscene material thru the mail. [Definitions shift randomly depending on political situation.] If a film processor realizes that it has received and processed film which it believes to be obscene, they will refuse to return the processed film thru the mail. Sometimes they will send a letter indicating that the film may be picked up in person. Other times, they will [self-righteously] destroy the film, notifying the owner. It seems reasonable that the intent would be used to determine if someone is liable. If a program generates an obscenity, to hold a carrier/monitor/etc. liable would seem to require that they knew that it was obscene or that they failed to take "reasonable" precautions to avoid transmitting obscenity. One does not have to take extraordinary precautions. -- Mike Eager