🚀 go-pugleaf

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.

-- 
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