Hi everyone,

I came across this article this morning. It raises some questions I hadn't
really thought about previously, so I thought I would pass it along to the
group. We probably shouldn't be surprised at this development, but it's
disappointing to me, as a long time community advocate, to see things taking
this turn.

Woman sues to have name of anonymous web poster revealed
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/career/?p=942&tag=nl.e101

A woman sues a daily newspaper for an anonymous comment made
in the discussion forum. She also wants the name of the
anonymous commenter exposed.

Pre-Internet laws are being applied in some online community cases, and there
are many uncertain legal questions. For example, according to the article: We
have the right to free speech in the U.S., but what responsibility does the
"host" of such free speech bear when it becomes illegal? If a business owner can
be held accountable in a sexual harrassment lawsuit filed because of the actions
of one of his employees, then does a web site have to be held to the same
accountability for postings to its web site?

We do live in interesting times! :)

--Kaye Vivian