Running a site (legal responsibilities)

Ok I want make a site (Does not envolve anything to do with runescape or any online game etc)

The site I want to start will let users post there comments on local schools etc

Much like the failed version of the goverments attempt:

http://www.myschool.edu.au/

Instead of just statstical information, I want to offer members to post there opinion. Now as you know it all want be good. (and more etc)

Now lets says if some one post's the following:

"Teacher X , at school X is a pedaphile"

Now how would I be legally Responsible>? Could i be sued etc? Any comments or thought about this would be great.

 

I don't think you could get sued. If anything the teacher would go to the police and get the IP traced and take it from there. There was a site like that called the great wall, which was up a few weeks ago, police were contacted multiple times for abuse etc, police traced the IP's and found who it was etc.

Eventually i think they just took the site down because of too many complains. But I'm sure your idea wouldn't turn out like that.

 

Ok thanks, going have look for some info on that great wall

 

Sites that run off of user content (such as a forum) are provided 'as is'.

You as the management are not solely responsible for the content of the website.

You are to do your best to comply with removing illegal material (child pornography, etc.), and acting in accordance to requests to remove copyrighted material.

In the past, cases of libel handled on forums have generally been ignored, but there was a Canadian case in which members of notable rival "law advice" forum were being sued for defamation of the other rival forum by means of libel. In this case it is noted that the actual users were the one's being prosecuted and the website was only asked to act in compliance with the courts.

 

Well, I suppose you could have a disclaimer/tou/tos or whatever, saying posts are views of the members, not of the site, then that'll protect you from defamation of character.

 

Yeah a disclaimer, well sounds like it been answered.

>>

 

Oo thats an interesting one. I wonder if you could get done for facilitating slander or something.