Legal Question in Constitutional Law in Georgia

Free Speech

Is it possible to legally ''sign'' away your right to free speech? I internet gamer. One thing that the service I use has is a ''code of conduct'' i.e, you be good or else. However, I have noticed that the administrators use this ''code'' to silence any contradictions to their positions on any topic in their forums. If you do, you will get ''you signed the code. Hence you signed away your right to free speech''

Can I legally do that?


Asked on 2/22/09, 5:31 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Re: Free Speech

You might check a site like Wikipedia for a description of what "free speech" is. It is a restriction on government, and certainly does not restrict the right of private individuals/businesses to regulate their businesses.

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Answered on 2/22/09, 5:34 pm
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Free Speech

The First Amendment says only that the government can't limit your freedom of speech. The gaming service you use is not the government. The First Amendment does not limit its authority.

Private contracts often limit the speech rights of some of the parties. For example, employers often require employees to agree not to disclose company secrets. Employers are also usually free to fire or otherwise discipline employees whose public comments are deemed harmful to the company. There is nothing illegal about these actions.

In principle, then, what the service is doing sounds legal. Its actions could be illegal in some respects, but nothing you have written suggests that they are.

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Answered on 2/22/09, 5:49 pm


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