Danvers Baillieu, solicitor at Winston & Strawn, who specialises in representing web based companies such as Huddle and Zoombu , and runs www.bootlaw.com, clarified:
"If you edit or run a group or community, even if you're not responsible for the hosting of content (such as a Flickr group), then choosing not to exercise control and ignoring requests to remove defamatory or illegal content would not be a defence to any claims brought against you."
10 year UGC veterans Tempero, who say they protect more blue chip brands online than any other moderation company, are pro-actively tackling brand confusion on legitimate social marketing with the launch of a free eBook called ‘UGC and the law’.
The eBook brings together basic explanation of laws applicable to user-generated content, alongside commentary from Tempero clients like the BBC, NHS Choices, WOM UK and Gumtree.
Dominic Sparkes, Managing Director of Tempero, said “Companies are so focused working out how to make their social media activity successful they can overlook basic issues like Data Protection, Defamation, and Child Safety.”
The book flags common violations such as:
- Collection and mis-use of data
- Moderators working with youth communities online without CRB checks
- Astroturfing and other unfair marketing practices
“There’s a wealth of disparate guidance out there, but this is the first time someone’s pulled it all together into one eGuide,” said Sparkes, adding “We’ve always been happy to spend 10 minutes on the phone advising a non-client for free, rather than see the industry impacted by damaging lawsuits resulting from poor self-regulation.“
The eBook was launched at a Central London event on 24th February, featuring talks from clients Gumtree and the BBC.
About the Research
Research conducted Jan 2010 across over 200 senior-level employees in both the public and private sector.
Response to question “How would you rate your organisation’s knowledge of the law relating to user-generated content in social media”
• No knowledge 20%
• Some knowledge 61%
• Extensive knowledge 19%
####ENDS
About the eBook
The eBook will be available to download for free from www.tempero.co.uk and includes contributions from the likes of FutureGov Consultancy, NHS Choices, WOM UK.
The book will be launched at a Central London event on Wednesday 24th February and feature talks from Tempero clients like the BBC and Gumtree.
For further information http://tempero.eventbrite.com
About Tempero
For over ten years Tempero has been moderating user-submitted content on interactive environments such as message boards, blogs and social networks. They now protect more blue chip brands online than any other moderation company and have a client list featuring Unilever, M&S, Benetton, Channel 4, Sainsbury’s and British Airways, as well as working within the public sector for the BBC, NHS and COI.
About Danvers Baillieu
Danvers is a solicitor at Winston & Strawn in London who specialises in representing web based companies such as Huddle, Tweetminster, Specle, Zoombu and SecretSales. In particular, he advises on web content, licence and affiliate agreements, venture funding deals and commercial disputes. Together with his colleague, Barry Vitou, Danvers runs Bootlaw (www.bootlaw.com), a free monthly meet up where web and emerging technology companies can learn more about legal issues relevant to their business.
Contact:
Darika Ahrens
darika.ahrens@tempero.co.uk
Office: 020 7636 1200
Mobile: +44 (0)7960 528 480