I look forward to seeing how this evolves -
It’s a challenging issue that state legislatures and courts have been quietly started grappling with in recent years, and there’s a growing consensus that masquerading as someone else on Facebook, Twitter or through email or other means is no laughing matter—do it with just enough malice and you could wind up behind bars.
In New York and California, online impersonation is a misdemeanor punishable by thousands of dollars in fines and up to a year in jail. In Texas, the crime is a third-degree felony that could land perpetrators up to ten years in prison. The Arizona legislature is currently considering a bill almost as severe as Texas’s law. In total at least nine states have an online impersonation law on the books or are currently considering one. Even if the impersonation involves a fake persona, the use of any real names, business or photography could cross the legal threshold.
I think it's overdue to look at this. Could be used in some interesting ways. How about a suit regarding internet handles? If a person could prove their "handle" was part of their livelihood it could be argued under trademark infringement at least. Somebody like "Boxxy" etc.
Could Anonymous sue if someone put out Anonymous tshirts? Hmmmm
(03-19-2013, 11:29 AM)Donovan Wrote: [ -> ]Could Anonymous sue if someone put out Anonymous tshirts? Hmmmm
I think maybe they could if they were to trademark themselves.
I'm the King of England!
Come and arrest me!
Wait, that's not the type of impersonation your talking about, right?
I love Arizona.
You can physically impersonate being an American citizen . . . just not online!
Reminds me of that creepy documentary "Catfish" which was filmed in Michigan. Which borders OHIO! Go figure!
I would have to research this more. By impersonation do they mean someone going to another site, using the handle QUEENBEE and passing themselves off as me? Though I am not sure why they would find the need to do that. Or just using the handle QueenBee?
I think if it is a matter of giving off a hint of their profession..who knows. Lets say someone new came here and wanted to call themselves Lady Cop? Not knowing of our own LC. I mean, it is obviously not her, but would we "allow" it?
It will be a bad year for Santa.
(03-20-2013, 11:07 AM)QueenBee Wrote: [ -> ]Lets say someone new came here and wanted to call themselves Lady Cop? Not knowing of our own LC. I mean, it is obviously not her, but would we "allow" it?
No, we wouldn't allow it. Dumb sure, but I'm a goddamn Nazi & I'd be dictator like in that regard. I know that maybe looks eccentric but I don't care. Tough shit. I don't even like people using her taser but I don't say anything. 
QB, you'd care if someone was using your name and running around cyberspace being a dick to people as well as slandering others & creating all kinds of ill will.
Have I told you guys that my real name is Justin Bieber?
Justin, you got some seriously luscious tits. I can just imagine that Bieber of yours!