Lycos Ordered to Tell Web Client Identity

[Judi Lynn]

Lycos Ordered to Tell Web Client Identity
Dutch Court Orders Lycos to Reveal Web Client's Identity in Legal Precedent on Internet Privacy
The Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands Nov 25, 2005 — The Dutch Supreme Court on Friday ordered Internet company Lycos to reveal the identity of a client in a benchmark decision on privacy that was praised by copyright groups as a way to go after illegal swapping of music and movies online.

It is the first ruling of its kind in the Netherlands on Internet privacy and could have far reaching consequences for other Internet providers.

The country's highest court ruled that Lycos had wrongly protected the identity of a user who anonymously posted slanderous allegations against an Internet postage stamp dealer on a member site. The dealer, who traded stamps on auction site e-Bay, was accused of cheating buyers.

The claimant, identified in court documents only as A. Pessers, took Lycos to court in 2003, seeking the details of its client so he could seek financial damages allegedly resulting from the allegations.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1345619&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

[GrumpyGreg]

1. Here we go !

[Toots]

2. Well in the USA we have a right to confront our accusers

I guess the Netherlands decided it was a good rule..:shrug:

[Straight Shooter]

3. I suppose if you consider the Internet to be a worldwide publication

then one should refrain from engaging in illegal activities such as slandering someone and damaging their business.

There's a very fine line being drawn here, I hope.

As for the music/movie industry, phtttt. Bunch of thieves. If their prices were in line with their productions costs, especially CDs, perhaps pirating would be less attractive. I think people will always find a way to get around those laws, though.

[guruoo]

4. You nailed it

The industry deserves a serious spankin'.

As for the music/movie industry, phtttt. Bunch of thieves. If their prices were in line with their productions costs, especially CDs, perhaps pirating would be less attractive. I think people will always find a way to get around those laws, though.