Log in

View Full Version : Am I doing anything illegal if I send copy of someone's posts to a 3rd party?


RGibson
Mar 23, 2012, 05:24 PM
I have a print out of some on-line posts made by a person who I know is emotionally abusive to her elderly mother. Mother does not live with this person and is not vulnerable adult as she is independent.

My fear is that this elder doesn't recognize exactly how vicious this person is and how she is working behind the scenes, but these posts make it abundantly clear. She puts on a good 'front' of sweet and light for Mom. She is posting vile filthy garbage about one of her mother's friends. It is apparent that she is trying to get rid of this friend the same way she has already gotten rid of others (not killing or anything! Just made life hell for them if they associated anymore with dear old mom.) As mom ages I think her daughter wants to be sure she's solely dependent on her and isolated from anyone else and will leave her everything in her will. (Which dear old Mom will do no matter what because that's the way dear old moms are!) In particular I can see this friend is a target because Mom lent her money after her divorce (although she has a payment schedule to pay it back and honors that fully!) I am a friend of this friend and I suppose my purpose would be in having mom see her child as she really is, not in the lies the child tells her. I do not have a purpose in seeing daughter cut out of will, I know moms just equally leave stuff to their children because Moms always believe. My purpose is to perhaps get Mom to take some self-protective measures so she can enjoy the life she has left and her friends have ached over their loss of her and I know she has, too. But they didn't tell her why they left. I think she has a right to know why. But I don't want to get myself in trouble with the law. If I send it anonymously am I getting myself into trouble? My friend whom the postings are about agrees but is too fearful to do anything. Of course she will be suspected as the person sending it, perhaps, so if there's no way that can be proved since I send them, am I creating any legal issue for her? She thinks dear old lady will be hurt by the postings but again hopes it will give her a wake up call. Please advise!

ScottGem
Mar 23, 2012, 05:59 PM
Is something is posted on a public forum, the poster gives up any rights to not having it reproduced. However, if it is reproduced, it should be attributed, meaning that who and where it was posted needs to be referenced.

If something was sent to you personally, you own it and can do what you please with it.

RGibson
Mar 23, 2012, 08:42 PM
?