[WikiEN-l] Libel law

Thu Dec 8 14:46:12 UTC 2005

On Thu, 2005-12-08 at 09:35 -0500, Chip Berlet wrote:

(snip lots of interesting stuff)

> Given Wikipedia's editing policy, it is unlikely to qualify for the safe
> harbor protection under the CDA. Amazon.com does not edit posts, and thus
> is essentially immune from suit. While the other case found an editor
> liable, that was because it appeared from the complaint that he had
> participated in the libeling. Wikipedia, unfortunately, falls between the
> two extremes.

Technically Wikipedia (or the Wikimedia foundation) doesnt edit,
individuals do, and therefore might have grounds for being a carrier
only (provider of a wiki space for contributions). It might be necessary
to stop Jimbo editing though for this to be the case.

Justinc