Are local laws legally binding to online forums?

[Passionate 4 pikes]

Whatever the conclusion dont use this as a excuse to swear

 

[HerCrenVie]

Thank you everyone for the replies. In my case, whatever I said was a mere suggestion I made to an administrator on a particular forum; a suggestion to alter a particular policy. My words were phrased politely, accurately, and without vulgarity. Yet, in response to that, I was banned. Oh well. I thought I had the legal right to voice a personal opinion, as long as it was not derisive, rude, or otherwise hurtful to others.

 

[BushFishRox]

ya when you start talking policy with a mod it normally doesnt end well.

 

[cassharper]

I'd like to explain in lay person's language since this is not a forum of legal professionals. Right to freedom of speech and expression is a universally recognized right and one of the most fundamental rights available to us. However, the said right can be regulated although not completely destroyed. Any rule which completely blocks ur right will be unconstitutional. However, your right can be curtailed by means of reasonable regulation.

For instance, u can't tell a teacher in school that what he's saying is rubbish or senseless and if u do a disciplinary action may be taken like detention. Why ? Cause while attending school u are bound by the school's policy, rules, norms,etc. Similarly, while posting in a forum, you are bound by the regultations imposed by them. As long as said regulations are not totally destructive of ur right to freedom of speech, reasonable limits can be imposed. Merely being non-offensive or not rude may not be good enough. Like here on MFK posts are often deleted just to clean up or when people get into heated arguments then threads are closed. All part of MFK's own set of rules.

From living in India you sure do know a lot about the US constitution (if that came off as rude, it was in no way meant to be... that was just the easiest way to say it). Are you a lawyer or in the field of law? If so I'd love to talk to you about it, as I'm doing my pre-law right now..

Threadjacking aside, he is right. It's called voluntary regulation of rights. Those TOS oddball mentioned that no one ever reads implies that (if you were wild enough to try to take it to court) you would get no where as you agreed to let them regulate what you have to say.

 

[nishant_datta]

From living in India you sure do know a lot about the US constitution (if that came off as rude, it was in no way meant to be... that was just the easiest way to say it). Are you a lawyer or in the field of law? If so I'd love to talk to you about it, as I'm doing my pre-law right now..

Threadjacking aside, he is right. It's called voluntary regulation of rights. Those TOS oddball mentioned that no one ever reads implies that (if you were wild enough to try to take it to court) you would get no where as you agreed to let them regulate what you have to say.

Yes, I am a lawyer and when I was in law school I had examined the similarities and differences in Indian and US Constitutions and Political and Legal systems. Anyway, that was a while back.