Are Hack authors liable for the use of their work

[Biker_GA]

Originally Posted by FASherman

Doesn't matter. That has been decided in court too. That arguement was used by mail administrators sued for reading email. The legal precedence is that the law is the only impediment necessary because regardless of how the messages are stored, it there is an action prompted by a conscious decision that results in the law being broke. It doesnt occur by accident or happenstance.

PMs are completely different than email. We've bounced this through a couple of legal beagles and it's perfectly legal.

[Dean C]

Paul, we're privately discussing the issue as it's a valid concern

[Boofo]

Originally Posted by corriewf

To play "devils advocate", if someone created a software that would download mp3s illegally, would that person be liable for piracy caused by their software?

Does the word "Napster" ring a bell at all?

[Corriewf]

Originally Posted by Boofo

Does the word "Napster" ring a bell at all?

exactly.....

Hey, I am not saying I haven't used the hack as I have had a problem with banned members signing up and causing trouble.......


I am thankful to Floris for the code, I just don't want her to get in any trouble on my behalf.

[bigcurt]

Her?

[Floris]

I understand people's concerns, and the reason I didn't want it discussed in the hack-thread is because the hack-thread is about the hack, not about chit chat. There is no vbcom staff takeover on vborg here (yet: /me continues to plot evil plan)

I don't understand how this is different then any other available means to read prvimsgs, as they're stored in plain text in the database.

When you view the privmsgs using mysql, phpmyadmin, pm.php or by dumping the .sql table and doing a cat table.sql |more

This is just another way of making viewing them easier.

To be honest, I think you're all just overreacting.

So here goes:

I am not liable for you or anybody downloading or viewing the source code of this pm.php file, using it or using it against me or anybody else. In whatever country, whatever hour of the day, nor can it be used as a tool to cause harm upon me in whatever form or means. By connecting to the internet you automaticly agree to all possible scenario's that could harm me, a vborg user who just posted a resource on vborg, not even made by me And you also agree that I am never responsible for anything, even if I forgot to write or point out those law rules, or whatever.

[Corriewf]

Originally Posted by floris

So here goes:

I am not liable for you or anybody downloading or viewing the source code of this pm.php file, using it or using it against me or anybody else. In whatever country, whatever hour of the day, nor can it be used as a tool to cause harm upon me in whatever form or means. By connecting to the internet you automaticly agree to all possible scenario's that could harm me, a vborg user who just posted a resource on vborg, not even made by me And you also agree that I am never responsible for anything, even if I forgot to write or point out those law rules, or whatever.

Ok ok since I personally like you, I am willing to settle this out of court right now for :

• One 24 pack of mountain dew
• One vbulletin license

[Boofo]

Good save, Floris! LOL

And now for my 3 1/2 cents worth on the subject ... As I bought my license and I own my board and I am paying for it all, not the users, what gets posted on my site is mine to do with as I wish. Not that I would really care to read a bunch of pms, but you have to remember, after Sept. 11th, we found out that alot of communications leading up to that were done on boards just like ours. It's nice to have the option in case we ever needed it, and I pray to God we never do. Think about it.

[Corriewf]

Originally Posted by Boofo

Good save, Floris! LOL

And now for my 3 1/2 cents worth on the subject ... As I bought my license and I own my board and I am paying for it all, not the users, what gets posted on my site is mine to do with as I wish. Not that I would really care to read a bunch of pms, but you have to remember, after Sept. 11th, we found out that alot of communications leading up to that were done on boards just like ours. It's nice to have the option in case we ever needed it, and I pray to God we never do. Think about it.

To ask a serious question, what do we own? Do we own the posts unless stated that they are copyrighted? Do we own the images if not copyrighted by member?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Originally Posted by Paul M

So, vb.com team members now issuing commands about what can be discussed on vb.org - did I miss the takeover then ?

Seems to me this person is simply warning you (and others) to be careful, a perfectly reasonable thing to do. But as with the last case (about copyright ?) everyone connected with the site seems to go into some sort of fit when advice is given. Most bizarre reaction.

Floris already kinda replied to this, but since i was the one splitting the conversation i feel i also need to reply.

Floris did ask in his hack thread, not to use the support thread of his hack to be used for discussion about the moral or legal side of this hack. As the poster of the hack and the thread starter, he is entitled to do so, regardless of his 'status'.

Since his request was ignored, i splitted the posts that where not about the hack itself into a new thread. Floris never had the intention to forbid the discussion, only was asking to keep his hack thread clean from it.

I understand that by splitting the thread, some of the remarks may seem out of context, but only i (and the one who choose to ignore his request) si to blame for that.