Re: copyrights liability question

[Eric Jennings <ericj@loopshot.com>]

> as an ISP where does the line go for how liable we are for client's
> copyrights violations?
>
> Here is my situation, and if you feel this is off topic, you may reply to
> me at ahoffman@announce.com and we'll keep any further out of this area.
>
> But, since this is a ISP area if I have this question someone else
> probably does too.
>
> I have a client who stores (archives) newsgroup articles.  I don't even
> provide the news data to him.
>
> He presents access to this data via a web interface to his subscribers.
>
> So, his policy as far as I know, if someone requests an article be deleted
> because of copyright isseus he does so.
>
> So, am I liable for any violations that may happen on that system?  I
> don't administer it, only sell shelf and bandwidth to them.

IANAL, but from our perspective as a web hosting company, we have a 
very detailed Acceptable Use Policy that basically states that any 
and all content hosted on the server by the user is the 
responsibility of the user.  Everything from mp3s to porn are listed 
as "content not under our control or liability".  We have each user 
sign the agreement and fax/mail it back to us before beginning 
service.

Until legislature makes it more clear on who exactly is liable in 
these situations, we prefer to cover our assets in this manner.  YMMV.

Eric