does anyone know if you're held liable (legally) if users on your forum are violating the TOS of another forum? for example, if a user on my forum is trying to sell their signature on another forum? is that their sole responsibility, or can I get in trouble because it happened on my website? thanks.
You are not legally responsible for that person. Are you responsible for me? Nope. You're only responsible for what they do on your own forum, not others.
I've never heard of such a thing. I assumed people were responsible for themselves, no matter where the action takes place.
helado/kylewhitey, i was referring to this action taking place on my forum, not another... it may have been confusing in the initial post. thanks for all the responses so far.
I don't think forums have anything to do with what is legal. There would be nothing legal to prevent the selling of links. It may violate a TOS, but that does not make it illegal. You will not make many friends from other forum owners. However, most forums allow sigs. Who knows who is paying for what? What you let your forum users do on your forum has nothing to do with other forums. Unless you are bashing them or interrupting their business. Stephen C
I suppose if your forum was set up specifically to discuss and promote the violation of another forum's TOS, then I wouldn't rule out them taking action against you. But if we are talking about a random user here and there bringing up these topics, I wouldn't worry about it.
Usually there are disclaimers saying that you are not responsible for what users post and you do not necessarily endorse their views. If you have that you should be fine. If not I strongly suggest you get one.
The TOS of the other website is between the other site and the member. Unless the other website can prove that you are knowingly instructing people to violate that sites TOS and causing real damages, the worst case scenario is that the other site can refuse service to you and your members.