Harrassment on 3rd party forums and the law

I started to sign up on a forum now that they are all popping up. Some I can read before signing up. I see some ppl saying bad thing about other people and businesses in world (SL). It doesn't look like anybody is defense of these people and they are not knowing about it I guesss to say anything back or maybe they just are ignoring them.

Anyway, LL does not have anything to do with these forums right? So if someone says something bad about someone else (like a friend of mine he said his avatar name was signed up on a forum and it wasn't even him) then what are the mods doing about it? Is this typical? It seems like opening a can o worms to me.

I did some research on this here:
http://police.albany.edu/CompHar.asp (New York where I am)
http://cybercrimes.net/99MSCCC/MSCCC/Article2/2.02.2.html (California where LL is)

Not sure which would apply in any case. Since the 3rd party forums may not be in CA or in NY, I guess it would be in the state that the victim resides in since you'd have to report it to police right?

If there are laws that hold persons accountable for online harrassment, are the forums going to observe them or allow the members to continue doing it?

What do you think?

Online harassment cases go nowhere. It takes a lot of time to even properly identify the person behind the keyboard, much less proving that it was them, from that ip block, posting at that time against you.

Besides, we're all anonymous, right?

Oh lord. This won't go well.

Call your local FBI fed building, they might be able to help you.

Murder, assault, embezzlement, forgery, speeding, jaywalking ... all are more important things for the police and judicial system to pursue.

Sure, until a judge has LL subpeonead (spelling ) to get your info and have your served. LOL Not saying it's a good thing or agreeing, just telling it like it is.

And you are right Joshua, this will not go well

Don't patronize forums that let people be treated like that. Seek out a mature atmosphere.

Other than that, unfortunatly not much can be done IMO.

It doesn't mean that just because some crimes are more important than others that it's ok to commit them now does it? If the court did not want to deal with it...it would not be a law.

Are there any?

Oh, you're absolutely right. The court system is already overloaded, but we should push back the murder trial another week so your friend can clear his make-believe name over some two-bit message board that only 50 people have ever heard of.

Come on, what judge is going to let an anonymous hazing get into his courtroom?

Thanks for putting those words in my mouth. They tasted great! Yum!

Linden Labs has nothing to do with third-party forums, and as such, will do nothing nor will they help you if you have an issue with someone on a third-party forum, except where required by law - this is not legal advice, i am not a lawyer. This is my opinion. I think you will find it useful and pragmatic.

There are laws that protect people from harassment, yet how they define 'harassment' may be different than how you define it, and it may need to be substantial harassment with a clear case to pursue before a justice department engages.

Ask a meaningful question and maybe you'd get a meaningful response.

If a court subpeonas LL - they have no choice but to fork over your name. That's a fact.

If you read the post and the 2nd link for CA (where I live too) it defines harrassment clearly. So personally, if I were his/her friend I would look to the law books for how "harrassment" is defined and go from there. Maybe it's not harrassment according to the law depending on whatever was posted about him. Then again, maybe it is.

e-pec.info

Read the About Us for an idea of what they are all about ,-)

Let me know if you want an invite key.

I think that people say bad things about other places and people all the time. Why folks get so upset when someone talks negatively on a message board versus all other forms of communication, I'll never understand.

Yes please, I'd like one. Thank you very much I know 3 others in-world that *might* like one. I'll IM your post link

Just IM or PM me the email addys and I'll get them out ASAP.

Thanks for inviting me for my conversion to Project Entropia, now I feel I could kill people without being called a griefer...

That is a confusing sentence. What are you trying to say?

While they are at it, they could look up "frivolous lawsuit."

Elite squadron of drones tried to arrest me and ex-communicate me, I was quick on my trigger and sent them to silicon heaven. But then I looked up and the sky was dark and the light was gone, I said to myself... Lost.. what have you become?

Quote of the day!

Usually what someone claims when they are wrong and have no defense..otherwise they'd shut up, prepare a case, and quit cryin'!!! (haha I got that from my brother who is a lawyer..gotta love those lawyers....when they win a case for you anyway)