Hi Chris

"Sense in our time" - (with acknowledgements to Disraeli)

I would be happy with item 2 but would like to query if auDA can avoid 
direct responsibility by creating a declaration on each application (as 
shown below - viz The form would also need to
include an indemnity to auDA against any liability arising from comments
made on the list) and causing a statement to appear on each notice to the 
effect that the writer accepts full responsibility for his/her remarks and 
absolves auDA from any possible claims.

I would also like to see all participants identified and any (financial) 
interests declared


Best regards


Peter Dean
Chairman - The Instra Group
Director - auda
My views are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of any 
organisation mentioned above.




At 11:00 AM 3/22/02 +1100, you wrote:
>Yesterday afternoon several 'contributors' to this list were removed
>from the list. You'll all guess who they were and why they were removed.
>It now transpires that at least one of them by his own admission, 'has
>no interest in the DNS, doesn't know what anyone is talking about, and
>was only on the list because he was asked to join to stir up trouble and
>"have some fun"'.
>
>
>
>I have received legal advice that auDA could be liable for comments made
>by participants on the list as it is technically auDA that publishes the
>list. This is of some concern given the sort of contributions we have
>all experienced over the last few weeks. I am not prepared to put auDA
>at risk in this way.
>
>
>
>As I see it, these are the alternatives:-
>
>
>
>1.      Have the list moderated either by checking contributions before
>they are posted or in some other way such as limiting the number of
>posts per day for those who appear to be abusing the list.
>2.      Introduce some new rules for the list, the breach of which would
>lead to removal. These might include things such as no pseudonyms, no
>fake email addresses, no personal attacks etc. These rules would be
>included on the application form and the submission of the form would
>oblige the member to abide by the rules. The form would also need to
>include an indemnity to auDA against any liability arising from comments
>made on the list. All current participants would need to complete a form
>as well as new ones.
>
>3.       Cut the DNS List loose by providing a couple of weeks warning
>that we will cease to host and thus allowing someone else to pick up the
>responsibility if they want. Meanwhile, we would set up a new auDA
>discussion list open to auDA members, registry, registrar and
>re-sellers.
>
>
>
>Ultimately, whilst auDA facilitates this list and is legally responsible
>for it, it is provided for the benefit of subscribers and so I would
>welcome your considered input on the above and any constructive
>alternative solutions you can come up with.
>
>
>
>Regards,
>
>Chris Disspain
>
>CEO - auDA
>
>  <mailto:ceo&#167;auda.org.au> ceo§auda.org.au
>
>  <http://www.auda.org.au> www.auda.org.au
>
>
>
>