Wikipedia Wins Landmark Privacy Lawsuit

H

HardOCP News

[H] News
Joined
Dec 31, 1969
Messages
0
A French court ruled today that Wikipedia can not be held responsible for content posted by its users. Apparently three guys sued for $100,000 each because their sexual orientation was revealed on the site.

But a judge rejected their demands in a ruling reached on Monday, arguing that "the Wikimedia Foundation's responsibility ... has not been clearly established," a decision welcomed by the foundation.
Click to expand...
 
Excellent ruling! Finally, a break in the trend of blaming companies for their users actions.

I bet future piracy cases will refer to this.
 
Of course, now all we need is something like this in the United States. But hey, this is a good start.

(Sorry for the double post, we don't have a edit button)
 
HOCP4ME said:
Of course, now all we need is something like this in the United States. But hey, this is a good start.

(Sorry for the double post, we don't have a edit button)
Click to expand...

We do have stuff like that. First Amendment, Communications Decency Act, etc. This is a PRIVACY case, not piracy (Not RIAA related).
 
Didn't French courts also rule that ISP's (or at least Ebay) could be held responsible for German/Nazi World War II memorabilia posted by others?

I think they were right on the Wikipedia case, but it makes me wonder about the possible double-standard created.
 
Good on this case, since It will help in other cases, such as companies going after people posting something bad about them in a forum(info designed to change the stock however should still be illegal IF it can be proven that is what they were doing)

Swastika/Nazi, Ebay.
I think it was because they DO edit content out (no porn,copyright etc.) they are in control and semi-liable.
I think this can really only apply to the German version though (or should at least)
Either that or not allow anyone surfing with a .de extension be able to search for certain words.
 
ssratt said:
Good on this case, since It will help in other cases, such as companies going after people posting something bad about them in a forum(info designed to change the stock however should still be illegal IF it can be proven that is what they were doing)

Swastika/Nazi, Ebay.
I think it was because they DO edit content out (no porn,copyright etc.) they are in control and semi-liable.
I think this can really only apply to the German version though (or should at least)
Either that or not allow anyone surfing with a .de extension be able to search for certain words.
Click to expand...

France has similar rules to Germany when it comes to Nazi memorabilia. Don't get me wrong, I believe the French have the right to be sensitive when it comes to what was a hostile invasion of their country by a repressive and repugnant regime; but at the same time I believe that standards should be applied equally, and I'm not sure it's being done in this case.
 
what I am wondering is who are these people that somebody posted on a wikipedia that they are gay? And why would anybody be searching for their names on wikipedia to end up seeing said refer to them being gay. On top of all of that 4 out of 5 times is it really a secret that somebody is gay?
 
Exavior said:
what I am wondering is who are these people that somebody posted on a wikipedia that they are gay? And why would anybody be searching for their names on wikipedia to end up seeing said refer to them being gay. On top of all of that 4 out of 5 times is it really a secret that somebody is gay?
Click to expand...

What amuses me is they didn't want the world to know they were gay, and only a tiny handful of people might've seen that entry.. but now the whole world knows.

Face it, they're in it for the money, not justice.
 
Azhar said:
What amuses me is they didn't want the world to know they were gay, and only a tiny handful of people might've seen that entry.. but now the whole world knows.

Face it, they're in it for the money, not justice.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100% they were in it for the money and they get nothing other than the whole world now knows there gay, something they supposedly didn't want anyone to know? Now if they Aren't gay then its a whole new story, but I don't see anywhere that there denying it.
 
I agree. Yeah, pretty much with everything said. People today are just looking for the big easy, and it's getting worse and worse every day. Kinda sad if you ask me. Hell especially here in the US, you might win the case and you might make some money, but you won't get anywhere near all of what you're suppose to win. Sometimes, actually most of you still end up losing money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top