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Dude everybody here is smart enough not to rely on internet comments for their legal advice. You don't have to be the gatekeeper. The guidelines say what's on

by DennisP 2mo ago

Dude everybody here is smart enough not to rely on internet comments for their legal advice. You don't have to be the gatekeeper. The guidelines say what's on topic here is "anything that good hackers would find interesting," and the free speech protections of source code definitely qualify.

otterley 2mo ago
> Dude everybody here is smart enough not to rely on internet comments for their legal advice If only that were true. I've seen people take the law into their own hands far too often, among other bad decisions based on Internet conversations. I'm going to repeat this exhortation every time I see someone armchair lawyering.
- DennisP 2mo ago
  HN != all of internet. "Don't give legal advice" != "never discuss the law." We live in a democracy. Every citizen is ultimately responsible for deciding what the law should be. It follows that we should talk about what the law currently is.
  - otterley 2mo ago
    > "Don't give legal advice" != "never discuss the law." Correct. You crossed the boundary between discussing it and giving advice. I already explained how above: > This isn't mere research and discussion; it's suggesting an outcome (i.e., "you're safe[r]"). That crosses a line into advice. I did not bring it up in other threads because you weren't doing that then. If you still don’t understand the problem, consult your own lawyer. BTW, in nearly every state, it is unlawful to practice law without a license.
    - DennisP 2mo ago
      "You" sometimes means you in particular, but other times it means people in general. That's how the English language works. I think my comment makes clear that I don't even know what district the guy lives in. It simply discusses what the law is in the sixth district.
      - otterley 2mo ago
        > "You" sometimes means you in particular, but other times it means people in general. That's how the English language works. It doesn't matter whether you're targeting it at an individual or a group. > It simply discusses what the law is in the sixth district. That may have been your intent, but that is not what happened. At this point, I think you're choosing not to get it despite the feedback. So I'm done with this discussion.
        DennisP 2mo ago
        Discussing what the law is necessarily means discussing its effect on people. Logically I don't know what else it could possibly mean. Glad you're done at last.

by DennisP 2mo ago

otterley 2mo ago

> Dude everybody here is smart enough not to rely on internet comments for their legal advice If only that were true. I've seen people take the law into their own hands far too often, among other bad decisions based on Internet conversations. I'm going to repeat this exhortation every time I see someone armchair lawyering.

DennisP 2mo ago
HN != all of internet. "Don't give legal advice" != "never discuss the law." We live in a democracy. Every citizen is ultimately responsible for deciding what the law should be. It follows that we should talk about what the law currently is.
- otterley 2mo ago
  > "Don't give legal advice" != "never discuss the law." Correct. You crossed the boundary between discussing it and giving advice. I already explained how above: > This isn't mere research and discussion; it's suggesting an outcome (i.e., "you're safe[r]"). That crosses a line into advice. I did not bring it up in other threads because you weren't doing that then. If you still don’t understand the problem, consult your own lawyer. BTW, in nearly every state, it is unlawful to practice law without a license.
  - DennisP 2mo ago
    "You" sometimes means you in particular, but other times it means people in general. That's how the English language works. I think my comment makes clear that I don't even know what district the guy lives in. It simply discusses what the law is in the sixth district.
    - otterley 2mo ago
      > "You" sometimes means you in particular, but other times it means people in general. That's how the English language works. It doesn't matter whether you're targeting it at an individual or a group. > It simply discusses what the law is in the sixth district. That may have been your intent, but that is not what happened. At this point, I think you're choosing not to get it despite the feedback. So I'm done with this discussion.
      - DennisP 2mo ago
        Discussing what the law is necessarily means discussing its effect on people. Logically I don't know what else it could possibly mean. Glad you're done at last.