On Thu, September 11, 2008 11:41, David Gerard wrote:
If someone in the UK calls up WMUK threatening
hellfire and litigation
under UK law for something in en:wp, they are politely and patiently
told that WMUK doesn't operate the website or have any editorial
control over en:wp, and are referred to the Foundation.
This.
Happens all too frequently, actually, and some people (including their
lawyers) take quite a bit of persuasion that "Wikimedia UK" basically has
a nice name but otherwise nothing (legally) to do with what is on
Wikinews, Wikipedia (in any language), etc.
Something that I, in discussion with Brad (then Counsel at WMF) worked
into the agreement was the explicit statement that WMUK couldn't order the
WMF to do (or not do) anything whatsoever, and likewise that WMF couldn't
order WMUK to do or not do anything either. Not just a 'chinese wall' but
an infinitely deep moat that can't be crossed.
Alison