[WikiEN-l] Legal threats as grounds for automatic termination

Tue Jun 15 18:41:55 UTC 2004

Mark Richards wrote:

>Well, I think one way to do this would be to have a
>policy that no discussion of lawsuits could take place
>on the wiki, that is to say that, once a user has
>declared their intention to take legal action
>surrounding Wikipedia or its users, the policy would
>be to block that user and anyone else who discussed
>it, because of the potential for incrimination /
>liability etc. Ban them, and direct them to raise the
>issue offline with the foundation's legal
>representative.
>Most companies and non-profits have a similar rule
>that their employees and volunteers are not empowered
>to discuss legal aspects.
>If they drop the case, or it is settled, then allow
>them back.
>Mark
>  
>
If any of them were serious they would be advised by their own lawyers 
not to discuss the case. 

Most of these people have not seriously declared their intention; 
they've only threatened it.  Until a case has been filed there is no 
case to discuss or drop.  I can't see why you are so intent on 
suppressing free speech.

Ec