Site Says 'Go Away!'; Federal Court Says No

CaptainEbo writes "Michael Snow was the webmaster of Stop Corporate Extortion, a private support group website for 'individuals who have been, are being, or will be sued by any Corporate entity.' In order to access his site, users were required to register a username and password, and agree to a statement saying they were not associated with DirecTV, Inc. Several defendants in suits brought by DirecTV would discuss their cases on Snow's site. When DirecTV's employees and lawyers ignored Snow's user agreement and accessed his site anyway, Snow sued, claiming they violated the Stored Communications Act (SCA) by accessing his site without authorization. In an unanimous opinion, the Eleventh Circuit rejected Snow's suit."

Comments

Re:ohhh ... EULA

[stinky wizzleteats]

Unless you're a private individual, EULAs will be just fine. The message of the court seems to be that regardless of the letter of the law, computer-related legislation may only work to the benefit of large companies.

Re:ohhh ... EULA

[Jim_Callahan]

Actually that's not exactly true. While you're generally expected not to be a dumbass with where you point your weapons, the no trespassing sign allows you to use violence or threat of violence to expel trespassers to a degree. While there is still a possibility of violence carrying a legal penalty, it is reduced somewhat by giving a warning first, and the legal penalties of threat of violence disappear entirely ("get out now" /stroke shotgun).

It also means that if you hear rustling in your bushes and shoot at it thinking it's a stray dog or something and accidentally hit a trespasser instead, they're going to have a hard time pressing charges or even suing you if it was clearly marked that they weren't supposed to be there. So even though "No Tresspassing" doesn't give you carte blanche to use visitors as rifle targets, it does reduce the legal risks of home defense.

Of course, I'm talking about Texas here. In California I'm sure that a burglar could be raping your daughter as he robbed your house and strangled your dog while standing uninvited in your bedroom, and he could still press assault charges if you slapped him across the face. (that's my impression after living in both states, anyhow)