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Liability on Internet forum.

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Raven Love

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Washington

This is a murky area of the law (for me) so I'm wondering if anyone can clarify:

I play a multi-player game on the Internet. As part of that game, many of us have joined together to form a "clan". Our clan has an Internet forum that is used for game information and role playing. The game and the forum for the most part are family oriented, but there is one area of the forum that is for 17 and over where people are allowed to use more vulgar language and post occasional questionable photos.

My question is: Are the owners and/or operators of the forum liable for content posted in the forum? Is a disclaimer upon entry into the forum enough? If there is a 17 and over area, does age need to be rigidly checked? Currently if someone requests access and tells us they're 17 or over, they're in.
 


BelizeBreeze

Senior Member
Raven Love said:
What is the name of your state? Washington

This is a murky area of the law (for me) so I'm wondering if anyone can clarify:

I play a multi-player game on the Internet. As part of that game, many of us have joined together to form a "clan". Our clan has an Internet forum that is used for game information and role playing. The game and the forum for the most part are family oriented, but there is one area of the forum that is for 17 and over where people are allowed to use more vulgar language and post occasional questionable photos.

My question is: Are the owners and/or operators of the forum liable for content posted in the forum? Is a disclaimer upon entry into the forum enough? If there is a 17 and over area, does age need to be rigidly checked? Currently if someone requests access and tells us they're 17 or over, they're in.
Read the 1st Amendment to the u.s. constitution then you'll find your answer.
 
BB does it matter if the person is allowing/advocating pornographic material to be posted in the forum. Seems that most site with adult content now hav a disclaimer and an actual agree to terms button you need to click on to verify age...

Is that actually legally necessary when dealing with adult content or is it more of a CYA that isn't really needed?
 

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