Posting Emails on Web Sites

[RSLancastr]

What are the legal/moral ramifications of posting emails on web sites?

For example, if you send me an email at my web site telling me what a horrible person I am, and I subsequently post it on the web site verbatim (minus your name and email address), is that kosher?

 

[Zep]

If the RECIPIENT is OK with it, I would think it is kosher to consider publication at all (don't lift other people's emails). If the content is likely to be contentious or personal, I'd either anonymise it, or get the SENDER'S permission to publish unmodified with attribution (something like in medical reports).

2c.

 

[Mongrel]

Well Peter Bowditch over at his excellent Ratbags website seems to be getting on OK with the following statementx

Email republication policy

The policy here is to reproduce any critical communications sent to any email address, fax number or other address associated with me or this site by any means of communication, and also to reproduce any critical discussion of me or my activities which I see or become aware of on mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups or any other outlets in any form of media. The solution is simple for anyone who does not want to see their words published here - be quiet.

Link

 

[Darat]

You may find this useful especially the last section http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/objectID/C3E49F67-1AA3-4293-9312FE5C119B5806/310/276/240/ART/

(ETA)

And I think an email would be considered the same as an unpublished letter and I think that means the copyright remains with the writer.

However see this: http://forum.freeadvice.com/archive/index.php/t-279982.html (But remember the adage about free advice being worth every penny you've paid for it.)

 

[Smike]

This is the disclaimer used by maddox:

Disclaimer:

By sending me hate mail, you acknowledge that I own all rights to the entire contents of your message, any images sent with the message, your email address, your house, your car, your first born and your soul. Furthermore, you agree to make your email address publicly available on this or any other web site, and you accept my views and opinions as being right regardless of anything. Furthermore, you agree that it is okay for me or anyone else to slander and/or libel you on this or any other web site, in public, at your place of employment, or anywhere else in this or any other universe and/or dimension. Know that sending me hate mail is a request for character defamation, endless belittling and excessive mockery. You may not sue me for any reason, ever, and this disclaimer is subject to change without notice, and you are still subject to the rules regardless of any changes made. If you do not agree with these rules, then don't send me hate mail.