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Craigslist Fights Back, Sues SC Atty General

Posted by timothy on from the wouldn't-have-happened-to-a-nicer-guy dept.

FredMastro writes "Craigslist has now stepped past just asking for an apology. The Wall Street Journal and CNet report that Craigslist is fighting back. 'Craigslist said it has sued South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, in the latest escalation of a battle over adult-oriented ads on the company's site. Jim Buckmaster, Craigslist's chief executive, said in a blog post that the company filed its suit in federal court in South Carolina. ...'" Unfortunately, the WSJ's piece requires a subscription, but reader Locke2005 adds a link to coverage in the San Jose Business Journal.

4 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. How to fix all of this by MikeRT · · Score: 1, Troll

    Make it so that incorporated entities cannot be sued. Why should a company, union or government bear responsibility for what individuals did? If a cop beats you relentlessly, the PD should have full immunity, and the cop none. If a CEO orders subordinates to break the law, sue the CEO, not the company. If a politician uses state power illegally to grandstand, make them liable and not the state (and don't allow them to use state resources to defend themselves).

    This AG wouldn't have been nearly so ballsy if he knew he'd go it alone if Craigslist were to sue him personally.

  2. I'm not sure... by scorp1us · · Score: 1, Troll

    I don't know how the adult/erotic services was ever allowed. I figure they are facilitating a crime, and illegal industry, whether explicitly knowing or not.

    Now, that is not to say that I think the government is in the right. I think it is futile that states prohibit the worlds oldest profession. I personally don't think states should bar women from making ends meet. If you are unmarried and not spreading disease, who are you doing wrong? It is about as logic as banning marijuana. If you have them

    I also don't know why CL just doesn't turn off the offending sections in cities/states that take offense.

    That being said, I did try to use the service once to find adult services for a friend's birthday party (adult oriented, but completely within the law). But I was not successful. A lot of what I saw advertised was blatantly illegal in my locality.

    Can someone please fill in in on 1) how its not a crime to carry prostitute's ads, and 2) if there is some Safe Harbor provision?

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    1. Re:I'm not sure... by scorp1us · · Score: 0, Troll

      If you have them [rest of sentence missing]

      I was going to say, if you have them sign a waiver and record it, then you're making a film and still paying them, which is not illegal. Which id odd, because then you have to film yourself with a prostitute to make the act legal.

      Its exactly like why felons do not need to register their guns with the government. Since it is illegal for a felon to have a gun, the registration would violate his 5th amendment rights. Hence, criminals get more protection than law-abiding citizens.

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  3. Re:Doesn't anyone read the warnings? by garcia · · Score: 1, Troll

    Are you implying that your opposition to illegal activity is stronger than your commitment to free speech? That's the sentiment evil men use to create nightmare police states.

    My opposition to profiteering from illegal activity is stronger than my belief that it falls under free speech.