Don't Take Legal Advice Here...

Fine, I will stick to giving medical advice then.

I remember a person on here claiming to be a lawyer and a few people listening. It turned out she was not a lawyer so please make sure you talk to a lawyer in your state or country.

So, what was the post about?

Ken,

Nature abhors a vacuum, so it fills it with
mindless questions. ;-)

John

Yep, it's sad. Many times people just want someone to agree with their opinion so when someone does they presume it must be correct.

I am truly shocked by this post.

What exactly is the problem ?

Has anyone complained ?

Can you point to an example ?


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Oh sorry I misread the title.

I thought it said :

Don't Take Segal Advice Here...

Steve, you need to buy my ebook...

~Bill

The only value one might get from asking legal questions on this forum is getting perspectives you may not have considered or points you may not have thought of.

This can lead you to asking smarter questions when you do sit down with your lawyer, which can save you money and get you better advice. You might even try something like:

"Here's the situation as I described on a forum full of usually smart people, and here's what they said in response. What do you think? What else do I need to ask you?"

Now that makes good sense.

I totally agree, however...

1) I think there's a distinct difference (perhaps subtle for the reader/commenter) between asking for legal advice and requesting feedback.

In other words, when I say "will i get my account suspended if I _____", I'm not asking for advice, but asking if anyone has had that happen - more anecdotal than advisory.

It might help if the questions where worded better as well... "has anyone had their account suspended" instead of something that sounds like a request for advice.

2) I love the US - lived there for a long time and over half my family is American (mostly dual citizens). However, it must be said that legal paranoia is a distinctly American affliction... but, for good reason, as over 90% of lawyers are American, or at least live in and file suits in America.

Illegal very often doesn't mean wrong or unethical, especially these days. Also, the US, Canada and parts of Europe are completely over-legislated; it's ridiculous when you really look at it. Most of these laws do not exist outside of these countries, and often not enforced outside the US (and often not enforced even within - just meant to intimidate). I mean, the recent "law" that came out "regulating" review sites and internet marketing in general, does not apply to me... and countless other IMers and Warrior Forum members. How could it? How could another countries laws affect me? Impossible. Yet, I hear all these admonishments to obey or at least beware. What?! So, if Sweden passes a certain law on squeeze pages are we all, including Americans, to begin obeying that legislation. Again, ridiculous. Most of these "laws" while definitely not applicable outside borders, are ludicrous as well, and I think while they should be noticed and understood, treated lightly.

The US is a great place with many benefits. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of living there is the rampant litigation and perpetual, incessant law-making. Most of the rest of the world is not concerned with this however! I'm not suggesting non-Americans shouldn't care about these things and consider them... just that Americans might realize that citizens/residents of other countries are usually not nearly as concerned. That might be an important point as many of the IMers and (quality) commenters come from the US and it would be nice if the fear of these things be tempered when talking to people who live outside its jurisdiction.

Wow, sorry got a little off-topic there, but I thought it should be said and I've been open to an opportunity to say it after years of frustration, lol.

Anyway, YES follow admins advice and do not ask for legal advice here! But, I think requesting feedback should be OK.

Just a couple thoughts to throw in the mix. Great post. James

This is the only place I get my legal advice.

@seasoned, I hear you perfectly. It's sad but true the state of litigation in the US. But, in the online and digital worlds you can easily put yourself outside it's jurisdiction... where something exists determines the rules it lives under - things and people (upload a file to a server in Hong Kong and that file is under the jurisdiction of Hong Kong, not Kentucky or the US). I'm shocked that more Americans living in the US don't do it. The costs are negligibly higher, with virtual bulletproof protections. I think that we've not been taught these things intentionally and instead been taught that "offshore" is dirty. Hmmm... who taught us this... "them". Anyway, don't take my word for it, look into it yourself and you should be able to rest easy almost over night.

I'm not suggesting that anyone use this to do anything that lacks integrity; I have extensive protections and still choose to operate white-hat. However, it can protect you from ludicrous lawsuits and out-of-control 3 letter acronyms. Too often the good guys are the victims in this new system. Get your affairs straight and these "rules" don't apply.

Educate yourself and a whole new world opens up... it's funny how North America looks when you're outside looking back in and not living in it. I love it, but it's a strange place in many regards and much of it I don't want any part of... hence, structuring affairs in a certain way to protect against unlawful actions by rogue bureaucracies and government.

Sounds like lunatic fringe speak, but it's accurate. Sad, but true.

Best, James