Theos-Talk Archives (April 2003 Message tt00044)

Etzion Becker wrote:
> Dear Wry, I don't think that this is much of an issue, commenting
> e-mails and sending them to another list. I made a search *wry
> theos*, and you star in more than 400 locations, and anyone can use
> it without your permission. e-mails sent to the public are like
> billboards, they are on public domain. These folks didn't try to
> violate your privacy. Best wishes, Etzion
In a word: BULLSHIT.

Emails carry an implied copyright by the writer. A forum carrying an 
email has what is called a "compilation copyright", allowing them to 
transmit that email to others on the list. But NOBODY has the right to 
take that email and transmit it elsewhere, unless the agreement they 
made in joining the list says otherwise.

Now, in practice, you are not likely to get sued for doing so. But 
getting away with a crime doesn't make it any less of a crime.

Bart Lidofsky