rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO | reply to Anomus
Re: interesting I think this might only apply to patents and/or copyrights. I think there are some rulings in these areas that if you don't defend them for years and years and abuse is widespread that you may then lose the privilege to enforce them later.
Lots of private land owners have "no tresspassing" signs but they don't have fences stopping would be offenders. However, it's still tresspassing if they catch you and decide to prosecute even if you've been riding your ATV on their land for years and years.
I think the problem with some of the assumptions here are common sense. As painful as this might sound I recommend watching Judge Judy or one of the other courtroom reality shows. A lot of the rulings are common sense and I can hear Judge Judy asking now: "You're computer savvy, right? You know that Internet access is not free, right? You know that your neighbor was paying for their service, right? Judgement for the plaintiff."
I guess if someone can use a computer and truly be ignorant of the fact that Internet access is not free they might be able to get off with a warning. However, I don't know if any judge will believe them.
But hey -- I'm no lawyer, I just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. |
