[Ecommerce] ISPs compile guidelines

[Takeshi Muramoto]

info

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/index-e.htm

ISPs compile guidelines for information removal

Yomiuri Shimbun 4/24/02

Before the enactment of a law concerning the responsibility of Internet
service providers (ISPs) in May, an industry panel has announced guidelines
concerning the removal of information on Web sites to prevent privacy or
copyright breaches.
The law will allow ISPs to remove information posted on Web sites or
bulletin boards that may be considered damaging to the reputation of a
person or an invasion of privacy, in addition to content considered in
violation of copyright laws.
The guidelines devised by an Internet-based industry panel stipulate that
ISPs are permitted to delete personal information such as names, addresses
and phone numbers, at the request of a person whose personal information is
disclosed, without requiring the approval of the person who provided the
information.
Yet ISPs are not required to remove such items as photos of politicians even
if asked to do so, the guidelines state.
The panel said it based its guidelines on related laws and previous court
cases, having consulted with lawyers, copyright protection bodies and others
to prevent legal action against the ISPs should they remove information
without the permission of the person who sent it.

Takeshi Muramoto
Consumer Law News Network
musan@mba.sphere.ne.jp