If anyone posts illegal content in my blog, will I be sued?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by virtualmisc, Oct 3, 2009.

  1. #1
    I have two blogs.
    I was wondering if anyone else posts illegal contents in my blogs, will it legally affect me?
     
    virtualmisc, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  2. cpace1983

    cpace1983 Peon

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    #2
    IANAL, but have a disclaimer on your blog and you should be OK. That being said, you should remove content if you think you might get sued over it- better safe than sorry.
     
    cpace1983, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  3. Nonny

    Nonny Notable Member

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    #3
    Sure you can be sued (and disclaimers won't protect you at all from a lawsuit). Whether such a lawsuit would be successful depends on what the comments actually say and what country you live in and your site is hosted in (UK law, for example, makes it much easier for people to go after someone for libel, than the law in the US).

    Here's a real example, from an article written in the Wall Street Journal in 2005: "Blogger Faces Lawsuit Over Comments Posted by Readers". And read the blogger's account of it here: "Fighting for Bloggers' Rights"

    That particular case was thrown out in 2006, but note that the blogger in question still had to go to court and file a motion to Dismiss - and the case was dismissed over jurisdictional issues, rather than because the case itself was bogus.

    But the reality is that, unless you are writing about something contentious like politics or scams or football, it's unlikely anyone will comment in a libelous way. And more practically, it's usually the commenter who gets sued, rather than the blogger.
     
    Nonny, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  4. marrya

    marrya Well-Known Member

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    #4
    ya u should post policy on your blogs so its safe
     
    marrya, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  5. Arse Gravy

    Arse Gravy Peon

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    #5
    You are responsible for exercising a little editorial oversight on your blog. After all, you own it.
     
    Arse Gravy, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  6. sn1

    sn1 Peon

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    #6
    A disclaimer could help you
     
    sn1, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  7. ExclusiveWrites

    ExclusiveWrites Peon

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    #7
    In theory you are protected by the Common Carrier rule, however even if you prevail in litigation you still lose considering the cost of defense. Best policy is to police the content of your blog to the best of your ability.
     
    ExclusiveWrites, Oct 5, 2009 IP