Msg: 4695 *Conference*

10-11-93 18:28:55

From: DREW BLANCHAR

To : CHARLES WENDY

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4684 (COMM LAW)

Last year, a professor at Santa Rosa State Univ (CA) was called on the carpet
for his BBS.  

Some of his male students/users were posting messages that some of the female
students/users found offensive.  

Prof/Sysop was called before the dean for "allowing" such actions to occur in
his class....(oh, not his class? outside of school) but still under his control
(as sysop)....and he was the one who offered (but did not require) the use of
the BBS to/for his students.

He maintained that he couldn't very well regulate the communicative use of
pencils and paper.....should he be held accountable for user's messages on the
electronic medium?

Wish I could remember the outcome.  Check back issues of "BOARD WATCH"
magazine, or get on their BBS at (303) 973-4222.....
   their legal guru (sometimes) is Lance Rose at Internet
              elrose@well.sf.ca.us and Compuserve 72230,2044.
 He was the author of "SYSLAW" availabe from (800) 321-8285