hey Y staff..

[sofiaofhouston]

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas lawmakers approved a measure that makes it a crime to impersonate someone else online, Media Online Daily reports. The bill’s aim is to stop cyberbullying. The law awaits the signature of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Under the “online harassment” law, people who post fake profiles on social networking sites, such as Facebook or MySpace, with the intent to “harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten” other people would be charged with a felony. Commercial social networking sites were defined broadly under the statue in order to encompass many possibilities, such as sites that let users register to converse with others or construct Web profiles or pages. E-mail programs and message boards were not included in the definition.

The legislation addresses the concerns of many, with more and more phony profiles coming to light, especially with fake Twitter accounts. For example, last week, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa filed a lawsuit over a parody account.

Internet law experts are not in agreement as to whether the Texas law could be upheld in court, given that it only addresses social networking sites and that it outlaws what might be free speech. “The whole social networking exceptionalism is ridiculous,” said Internet law expert Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University. “There’s no way to distinguish social networking sites from other sites.”

Across the nation, other lawmakers are proposing new laws that address the problem of cyberbullying on social networking sites after the suicide of a 13-year-old girl. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) has sponsored a national bill seeking to impose penalties for cyberbullying.

For more on social networking, see the May 2009 NACS Magazine cover story, “World Wide Networking.”

[Htowner]

They are not impersonating a perosn. They are impersonating the personality.
Enough about Y already.

[sofiaofhouston]

I feel cyberbullied.....

[Mr Clever]

I've been around a long time.....I've never seen anything like Sophie.

She is freakin hilarious!

[Htowner]

You? Bullied?

[ferdburf]

Gosh, I wonder what the cops would say when they start reading that board and see that you're being impersonated!

[dearhunter]

She sure posts like herself over there.

I'm thincking this is a grande advertising scheme.

She is smarter than your average bear.

[chicagoboy]

I know where Sofia can get a Notice to Cease and Desist Order.

NB: "Message boards" are not included in the definition of "commercial social networking sites" under the statute. (I'm not really a lawyer, but please don't tell that to the dancers at Treasures.)

[sofiaofhouston]

Originally Posted by ferdburf

Gosh, I wonder what the cops would say when they start reading that board and see that you're being impersonated!

YOU LIE!!!!! That could be my real name......You don't know that......If it is one grande advertising scheme I have only WW to thank....

[sofiaofhouston]

Originally Posted by chicagoboy

I know where Sofia can get a Notice to Cease and Desist Order.

NB: "Message boards" are not included in the definition of "commercial social networking sites" under the statute. (I'm not really a lawyer, but please don't tell that to the dancers at Treasures.)

Any suggestions, I hate to get our lawyers involved.

[simpleton]

Does anyone remember that board that would spoof the posters on the Y? That was really funny. I remember monica fox getting pissed.

[chicagoboy]

Originally Posted by sofiaofhouston

Any suggestions, I hate to get our lawyers involved.

This is a good starting point:

http://www.opusdeialert.com/ceast.htm

[Wayward]

Originally Posted by simpleton

Does anyone remember that board that would spoof the posters on the Y? That was really funny. I remember monica fox getting pissed.

Monica loves us (me) now, and will testify against sofia when we counter sue high mopery with intent to gawk.

[TX Bulldog]

Originally Posted by chicagoboy

This is a good starting point:

http://www.opusdeialert.com/ceast.htm

I'd call the Paladin. He has experience in this. He may also be a lawyer, in addition to ninja, navy seal trainer, porn photographer, etc., etc. etc. I thinck he counseled Monica.

[dearhunter]

I'm not a lawyer. But, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express...................can I help?

Great work, sofia.

You are the center of attention on 2 boards..........your plan is working.