Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version VT1.00C 11/1/84; site vortex.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!amdcad!decwrl!decvax!vortex!lauren
From: lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein)
Newsgroups: net.news.stargate
Subject: Re: A solution(?) to the libel problem
Message-ID: <547@vortex.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Feb-85 20:44:30 EST
Article-I.D.: vortex.547
Posted: Wed Feb  6 20:44:30 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Feb-85 15:34:44 EST
References: <3571@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Organization: Vortex Technology, Los Angeles
Lines: 13

The idea of putting a "disclaimer heading" on messages to try avoid
libel ("The following was sent by so-and-so") would be laughed
out of court.  It would be considered to be an extremely transparent
attempt to avoid responsibility for material through linguistic
tricks, and would almost certainly be ruled totally invalid.

Remember that the damage done by libel is done by the untrue
elements of the message, not the fact that there m3a "true"
disclaimer tacked on the front!

By and large, the courts aren't that easily deceived in such cases.

--Lauren--