Does anyone know what the legal status is of e-mail messages on a
public e-mail list? Do they "belong" to the writer? The listowner? No
one? Can someone legally quote (in a scholarly book or article) messages
posted on a public e-mail list without obtaining the consent of the people
who wrote them? Against the wishes of the people who wrote them?
Several people have asked me the above questions recently. I know
that I've seen discussion of this issue somewhere at some time, but I don't
remember where. I tried doing a database search on the lstown-l and
arachnet archives (since 1/92), but I came up empty-handed.
I'd like to be able to advise the people who have asked me for
information. I'd be most grateful for any info you can provide.
Many thanks.
Joan Korenman Internet: [log in to unmask]
Bitnet: korenman@umbc