Legal issues surrounding an Adult Forum

Question guys:

What are the legal issues/consequences behind owning an adult forum such as like :
http://freesexyindians.com/forum/
http://xboard.us/bbb

etc of those nature.

Basically, user post and talk about adult images, sex talk, and so on. How does 2257 fit in?

Thanks
Matt

 

It's freedom of speech I believe. I've seen lots of adult forums up and running for years. Of course, some of them have got suits before. All they had to do is comply with the laws especially copyright.

 

Yes but is the forum owner responsible for the images stories etc that the users post?

Of course if a copyright violation email or note is sent, then aas long as the administrator complies its ok ? or?

 

You may want to put an age warning on the site but otherwise it is freespeech.

 

Yea but the images that the users /members post, what about them? Does 2257 compliance affect them?

 

Any ideas?

 

From what I can remember, the images posted must be of that user and not of anyone else.

But now you also need to worry about 4472. Check out 2257/4472 FAQ. If you need an attorney, you might look up Chad Belville. And look up National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.

 

How can someone proof it the images are indeed of the user?
Also there are so many such boards on the net, how do they exist?

 

Also as long as the pics aren't hosted on the site itself, then it should be fine right?

For example, someone can have a pic and upload it to like imageshack, and then link to it on the forum.

The site itself isn't hosting any pics or adult content, is that a loophole, would it work?

 

MS did you read the page that Corey quoted - it provides you with good information.

 

Yes read much of that, but still had those questions =S

 

I think it would be difficult for anyone to answer because the laws are different in each country. You would be best consulting a lawyer on the issue to get a professional response.

I'd rather spend the $$$'s now to find out later you are libel and have to pay $$$$'s

 

You should speak with an attorney about it. It was my understanding if you are hosting the images, they are your respsonsibility and you are required to be in compliance. I cannot remember if that portion of the bill passed or not. The politicians were wanting everything to roll down hill basically

As far as the images, your 2257 compliance officer will have a copy of the driver's license or other ID card and the user will have completed an agreement.

Check out Boardtracker get some names of some Adult message boards but still consult an attorney. You don't want to be given any mis-information (even by accident on the internet) and then be sent to jail, have your servers confiscated etc