Subj : Responsible Publisher
To   : FidoNews Robot
From : Lee Lofaso
Date : Mon Aug 12 2024 10:10 pm

Hello Bj�rn,

FR>                        EDITORIAL

FR>                The Responsible Publisher
FR>                 by The Publisher (2:2/2)

FR> Many readers are confusing the publisher with the editor, and that is
FR> totally understandable because in the English speaking World, the two
FR> words actually are used interchangeably.

It doesn't matter.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/12/publisher-or-platform-it-doesnt
-matter


The devil is in the detail. Ted Cruz found out. The hard way.

FR>    But since this publication is based in Sweden, it must follow
FR> Swedish law, and we have strict laws about it and a constitution that
FR> limits what laws our lawmakers are allowed to pass. You also can see
FR> why freedom of expression is so important here.

Tom Jennings started the Fidonews, based in California, USA.
Does that mean this publication is based in the USA forever?
Of course not. It would bbe silly to even think so.

This publication is owned by the international community of Fidonet
sysops. As such, no one country "owns" the Fidonews.

A publisher is an individual or company that owns or administers
the copyright of a work. That does not mean you as an individual or
a publisher owns the copyright of any author, regardless as to the
location as to where you reside.

FR>    Here's how it works. This also gives you information about what
FR> you can do if you find what you think may be a violation of the law,
FR> even if in your own country:

"Publication is the distribution of copies or phonorecords of a work
to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental,
lease, or lending." ~ 17 USC Section 101

That is how it really works.

FR>    A responsible publisher (sometimes just called a publisher) is in
FR> Swedish legislation a person who, according to the Freedom of
FR> Expression Ordinance and/or the Freedom of Expression Basic Law, is
FR> responsible for media publications.

As an author, you own the copyright of your work. As such, you can
do with it what you will. As an author, others can do the same. But
the publisher of the Fidonews is *not* Bj�rn Felten. That belongs
to the community at large.

FR>    Designating a responsible publisher is one method of achieving
FR> constitutional protection for readers as well as writers.

Absolutely. But the role of a publisher is much more than that.
The publisher is responsible for the design, editing, and orientation
process.

Also lots of practice.

FR>    Disputes about the responsible publisher are handled by the
FR> Swedish Press, Radio and Television Authority (MPRT).

Who is a "responsible" publisher may be a very questionable matter.

FR>    A responsible publisher must be eighteen years of age and must be
FR> resident in Sweden but does not have to be a Swedish citizen.

There is no restriction as to where a publisher must be from.
There is also no minimum or maximum age for any publisher.

So what is it with this "age" thing?

We are old enough, and mature enough, to drive at age 16 in the USA.
We are old enough to vote in federal elections at age 18 in the USA.
There is no minimum age for having sex if both are under age 18.
There is also no minimum or maximum age for those who are mentally
challenged. So why should it matter about age at all?

What is the difference between "publishers" and "distributors"?
Should every sysop in Fidonet be held responsible for the content
that others write, whether in the Fidonews or in various echoes?

FR> Now you know...

What makes you think Swedish law is superior to American law?
What makes you think Swedish law is superior to French law?
What makes you think Swedish law is superior to Russian law?
We live in a very big world, with many different countries.
Fidonet is a community of sysops from around the world.
An international community of sysops, communicating with each
other, as well as others from outside.

So why limit yourself to one country? Or one language?
One country in Fidonet tried to do that, limiting itself
to one zone. We all know how well that turned out.

These are just some quetioons that come from the top of my
warped head. Could probably come up with a few pages more by
the end of the day ...

For Life,
Lee

--
You can tell Monopoly is an old game because there's a luxury tax and rich
people can go to jail.

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
* Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)

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