Legal Question About Forums

[Ella]

Hi board... B)

My name is Ella - I'm an Aussie addicted to downloading music and forums. Am I in the right place? Just checking...

My question - and apologies if this has been asked before - is one about the legalities of posting discussions about filesharing on forums. I post on one Aussie forum that does not allow it as the board owner says it is illegal to discuss such issues and he fears ramifications if we post discussions on downloading, etc.

Mind you, he's a little fascist twerp anyway...but I was just curious if anyone had the definitive answer. I mean, I can see filesharing is discussed freely here and this place is thriving.

Your thoughts would be appreciated...

[balamm]

It's up to the site, the admins, the hosts, and the forums software maker. ISP hosting would make it difficult. We don't have that limitation.

[Ella]

Umm...OK. Maybe I'm just having a blonde day, but that doesn't really answer my question. He uses the same forum software as this one.

So...will his site be closed down by some filesharing lynch mob if we discuss it or not? Is it legal? Or is it his call entirely?

[[B][O][T]]

http://www.invisionboard.com/?license

Originally posted by Forum - Rules @ klboard.ath.cx
8. Posting topics that contain direct download links to copyrighted software, private ftp sites, serial numbers, warez sites and hacking sites is prohibited. Posts directly or indirectly related to any of this information will be edited. Hacking discussions are strictly prohibited within the forum. Sig2dat quicklinks and hashes are NOT considered to be DDL, therefore allowed.

BOT

[Ella]

OK...but if you are an Invision board, why doesn't this apply to this board?

[Illuminati]

BOT pretty much says it all

On your side - If what you say isn't in the rules, chances are that it'll be fair grounds to talk about it. As an example - Here, you can talk about filesharing if you want on the condition that you follow the rules (link in the top-right corner of the page), and on this topic especially the one mentioned above.

On a forum view - Whether talking about filesharing is illegal is a touchy subject. Some forums will outlaw it outright to make sure their arse is saved (like the forum you mentioned - And the forum admin's stance is understandable), others which are more informed on the P2P issue (e.g. like here) will willing talk about it as long as nothing they know could incriminate the forum's community (e.g. keygens, serials, cracks, warez) is talked about in public.

Easiest way to find out a forum's stance about discussing filesharing - Check their rules

[Ella]

Alrighty...thanks mate... B)

[VB]

You can tell somebody that a crack exists. You may even give a hint where to find it.

But you can't give a direct link to the file itself or a website that has it.

So talking about filesharing and downloading is allowed here.


Edited: In bold, and corrected.

[Illuminati]

*Post removed by self after Rat Faced corrected Paul*

Now - I wonder what the charge is for a moderator to correct his boss in public...