Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

47 U.S.C. § 230 (1996) basically covers online forums from being responsible for what other people post on those forums.

From what I can tell, it doesn't necessarily protect a person who uses one of those forums to post libelous claims, just because that person cites another source.

Arguably, the law could be read that way, but I would be surprised if the courts actually interpreted the immunity as broadly as you're describing it---that would pretty much gut libel law altogether. Do you have any case law to support your interpretation?




Yes. I should say that the law is specific for users of an interactive computer.

"arguing that only the originator of a defamatory statement published on the internet could be held liable.[4][9][10][11]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_v._Rosenthal




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: