Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Minnesota

I was wonder if it is illegal to import messages from one forum into another?

I do not see posts as being copyright material, but my host is concerned

with legal issues (if there are any) This is not a case where a site

is selling copyright of a compaines software which they created. Forums

do not create posts, their members create posts. I guess the forum

owner that sees his post on my forum could file a DMCA, but the forum

owner is not the one that created the post, so would the DMCA be valid?


Asked on 8/19/10, 10:43 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ross Brandborg Brudvik Law Office

Your question is difficult to answer because each website/blog is different. Some blogs/posting sites operate under the agreement with posters that all material submitted to the site belongs to the site owner, and others the poster retains the copyright.

A copyright exists upon the creation of the written material, who owns it depends on the website.

From a realistic standpoint, if you post something you don't own you could get sued, however this to be a difficult law suit for anyone to pursue. I guess my advise is: you do this at your own risk.

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Answered on 9/16/10, 8:04 am


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