"I own them, so delete ALL of my posts"

The classic "I own the posts I've made and I no longer want them on the site - delete them all or I'll sue you" member comes up every once in a while (well, not yet in my case). How do you handle these situations? What is your policy on deleting members' posts and how do you evade the rightful-ownership disputes? Do you have a certain clause in your Terms of Service?

 

I'm interested in reading about this topic

I've actually got someone that is asking to delete all of her pictures that she uploaded. How do I handle that?

 

I've actually included a rather drawn-out and detailed clause in my Terms of Service agreement regarding this matter - I think I've heard this statement around 1,000 times.

 

So what's your clause, Chris? :p

I have one in mine, too. I'll get it up a bit later. Don't let me forget.

 

I have never thought about doing that - maybe I should start now just incase. I'm not a fan of deleting.

 

I'll post it up here as soon as I can find it within the agreement.

 

I don't even think I'd do that. If they are wanting to conceal their identity, I'd gladly change their username and remove all public personal details from their profile. But I'm not going to edit the post (author) just to please them - especially if they're only doing it with the intent of being a prick.

 

Here we go:

 

Here's mine:

9.5 is the key here.

And from our notes section (fairly blunt):

 

I've only asked for some of my contributions to be removed once due to a staff member at a well known resource site tampered with my contributions and removing them because of a grudge he has against me for reporting posts.

The contributions were there for months benefiting the community so it clearly showed why they removed them which was on the same day I made the reports plus he inserted a sarcastic remark to entice my provocation. Nobody touches my works esp when they are there to benefit the community

Once anyone touches my works this will be the only reason I will remove it or have it removed by other means. If I have grievances with anyone I will not remove my content because that is between myself and that other person(s). Works are there for the community and to benefit them.

To add. The contributions which were removed by this staffer have been re-posted and allowed to remain. The removal was a poor strategy imo in trying to punish someone it works both ways. Suffice to say when it comes to graphics and running a graphic orientated forum I never post in the incorrect areas.

Anyway, I have a terms of service and if anyone wishes for the content to be removed it will be removed. From the start I made a point in I was the only person who was going to add graphics to my forum database area so any complications would only be with myself. I have nothing to worry about or anything to lose by people asking for content to be removed. My forum/site was built from my own time and effort and I'm sure it will end that way and not rely on other peoples contributions.

 

Use something like this:

 

Fairly similar to mine, Wayne.

 

I used to have a clause similar to this in my TOS but no longer do: "All posts and attachments upon submission become property of OurDJTalk.com and you grant worldwide unrevokable reproduction rights to the owner"

This covers both the "I'll sue you" BS and allows you to manipulate the the data how ever you want.. Say you want to copy a post to your site's blog the clause covers that.

I no longer have that clause, I took it down after a couple of long time members thought it was a little unfair and I didn't' feel like arguing the finer points of why I need those rights.

For now if anyone really jumps up and down about having their account deleted I will delete the account but leave all posts and attachments, vB by default sets them to a guest account.

If they still want to sue.. I tell them well you cannot take blood from a stone so have your lawyer call me and we'll see what happens.

^The two times that has happened I never received any call or correspondence from them again.

 

I just ban the user. Keep the posts.

 

I'll just send the posts to my archive...

I don't have a problem removing somebody's posts to the archive from the view of the public.

No, but now that you've mentioned this, I could certainly add one.

 

I think it'd be worth your while, Tom.

 

Perhaps...

This only happens every so often though... I'd say once or twice a year, at most.

 

I've thought about this as well, for both my site and vbfaq.