Re: Brian Bell on harassing email

[Scott Weiser <Scott.Weiser@worldnet.att.net>]

jtrascap@cybergoober.com (Jim Trascapoulos) wrote:
>Actually, I've been forwarding your mail to AT&T on nearly every post for
>the past few weeks. By reposting private mail you are, in absolute
>reality, your own worst enemy.

What's more important is that this paragon of virtue and defender of the faith 
seems to be commiting a tortious act *each and every time he post a private 
e-mail message.*

You see, copyright law states that the *author* of a "work" holds the 
copright, and this includes (according to legal precedent) private 
correspondence.  For example, if a famous poet writes a private letter to a 
friend, and includes in that letter an original poem, the *reciepient* has NO 
right to copy, publish or sell the letter without the permission of the 
author.

This is a well established legal principle.

And it applies to e-mail just as much as it does to written letters, 
photographs or other copyrightable materials.

So, each time that Mr. James publically "copies" and "publishes" a private 
e-mail correspondence, he violates U.S. copyright law, and the authors of 
those messages are the victims of tortious conduct and can sue him.

All of which is interesting, but since the courts would likely not find 
against a mentally deranged person, it's probably a waste of time to sue.

-- 
Regards,

Scott Weiser

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Copyright 1996 by Scott Weiser

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