Legal Question in Technology Law in Massachusetts

Web Page Code Duplicating

I recently took the html from a netscape news page and altered it so an article that i made up appeared to be really on the netscape news page. i put up the altered webpage on my hosting site for my friend's amusement. the page was exactly what was on netscape news that day except my altered story was in it too. if someone took the time to look at the http address they would see its not netscape but somebody else saw this ''fake'' news article and took offense to it and said they would alert netscape to take criminal actions against me. i dont know how they got my email address, probably from my site host?, but is this possible that i am legally in trouble :-(? thanks


Asked on 10/22/02, 12:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hermann Law Office of Michael Hermann

Re: Web Page Code Duplicating

I doubt it. One of the basic elements to prove is intent. Did you INTEND to harm them. You could be liable for a civil action if the defendant can prove that somehow they were damaged by your action (a dubious proposition). Harvard's Lampoon, and spoofing or parody of exisiting copy are commonplace activities. I wouldn't worry about this. Take down the offending page and forget about it. (Don't these people have a sense of humor?)

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Answered on 10/22/02, 8:57 am


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