🚀 go-pugleaf

sl@whiskey.wimsey.com (Stuart Lynne) wrote:

>In article <sfoy-0907961810370001@cell.zoology.ubc.ca>,
>Shaun Foy <sfoy@zoology.ubc.ca> wrote:
>>In article <4rur64$42u@milo.vcn.bc.ca>, lalee@vcn.bc.ca (Lawrence Lee) wrote:
>>
>>> Shaun Foy (sfoy@zoology.ubc.ca) wrote:
>>> [...]
>>
>>I think that my argument is pretty simple and very logical. It works
>>like this:
>>
>>   Q. Does the ISP stand a reasonable chance that they will be involved
>>      in a litigation because they distribute newsgroup X.X.X.
>>
>>      If the answer is YES -> drop the newsgroup
>>      If the answer is NO -> keep the newsgroup
>>
>>My argument does not rely on making any moral decisions. I agree that
>>is a very contentious area and I don't care to argue on the point since
>>I don't think I am a model of our moralistic society. (who is?)
>>My argument only relies on one thing - cost. How much money will it cost
>>an ISP to provide the newsgroups? Well, if they end up spending tens
>>or hundreds of thousands of dollars and being driven out of business 
>>then I think that is too high a cost to pay. 
>>
>>I think that you will find most business' are more intersted in making
>>money than fighting social/moral battles.

>Unfortunately it's not litigation we worry about but having to defend
>against a criminal prosecution either at the corporate or personal level.

>ISP's every where would welcome guidlines from our legistlators.

>Simply because if we know what the law says we will follow it and lobby to
>have it changed if it is too draconian. Unfortunately we are in the position
>of having a vague suspicion that we might be breaking the law with no 
>guidelines to follow. 

>Kind of like driving down a road with no posted limit. Just signs that 
>say "caution speed limit enforced by radar" with the local constabulary able 
>to pull you over for going over whatever they decide is the correct 
>speed at *that* point in time. Their claim that you are speeding might never
>hold up in court, but you still waste time and money defending yourself
>against the prosecution.

Sounds like photo radar to me. 10 over one day is OK, 15 over the next
is OK, $100 fine the next day for 11 over.  What's the fine for $200
million over, Glen?

>-- 
>Stuart Lynne <sl@wimsey.com>      604-933-1000      <http://www.wimsey.com>
>PGP Fingerprint: 28 E2 A0 15 99 62 9A 00  88 EC A3 EE 2D 1C 15 68