i run a forum for webmasters. is there any legal issues i should be aware of as a forum owner? as of now i dont allow any content related to adult,gambling,warez etc. am i missing something here?
You may wish to think about a privacy policy, as well as something on copyright. By claiming nonexclusive rights to anything posted no one can go after you demanding their posts be deleted *boggle*
One of the biggest issues is defamation that may take place on your forum. The leading case on this issue is Zeran v. American Online, Inc., in which the Fourth Circuit provided immunity under section 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 (“Section 230(c)â€) to AOL for messages posted to a forum board. Zeran v. American Online, Inc. 129 F.3d 327 (4th Cir. 1997). Section 230(c) provides, in relevant part, that “[n]o provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.†In turn, an “information content provide†is any person or entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the creation or development of information provided through the Internet or any other interactive computer service.†47 U.S.C. §230(f). To date, there are no reported court decisions addressing the issue of whether Section 230 immunity applies to bloggers or forum owners. What that means is you could possible be liable. I'd stick an indemnity clause in your registration agreement.
Privacy policies, TM infringment, Copyright, Taxes, local laws..ugh...did I miss anything? Any business person should have some basic knowledge of these thing before conducting business. That goes for online too.