mums net and liability

Andy Hamilton · Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:32 pm

Just got an email from the downsizer people about mumsnet and some trouble they are going through at the moment. Should we be worried?

http://www.mumsnet.com/lw/state.html

Chickpea · Post: # 29490Post **Chickpea** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:39 pm

I've read about this somewhere else. Sounds like a bad business. The lawmakers are decades behind the technology of the internet but we can't turn the world wide web off until they catch up. Just gotta keep on doing what we're doing and hope for the best I suppose.

Shirley · Post: # 29494Post **Shirley** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:53 pm

Geez - are we not allowed to discuss and compare the various childcare 'experts' views anymore???

I think it's about time the world caught up. As it says in the Mumsnet statement... you can't dictate what the people in your pub talk about.

Muddypause · Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:37 pm

I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I know for a fact that Gina Ford (whoever she is) eats babies, and is definitely related to Genghis Khan.

There ya go, Andy - expect letters from her lawyers any day now.

Martin · Post: # 29506Post **Martin** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:36 pm

I think that calls for a decidedly Churchillian response!

greenbean · Post: # 29507Post **greenbean** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 pm

Chickpea is spot on with her comment, one of my best friends is a lawyer and she woud agree with what chickpea says too about being behing the times (off the record of course!)

Andy Hamilton · Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:44 pm

Muddypause wrote:I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I know for a fact that Gina Ford (whoever she is) eats babies, and is definitely related to Genghis Khan.

There ya go, Andy - expect letters from her lawyers any day now.

damb I am going to have to edit that, what muddy meant to say was

Muddypause wrote:I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I know for a fact that **** **** (whoever she is) eats and is related to her mother.

There ya go, **** - expect letters from her mother any day now.

It does strike me a sour grapes on her behalf and the site in question has been mentioned in all the nationals now. That is publicity that you just can't buy, mind you we have been mentioned in most of the nationals and it make no difference to the stats whatsoever.

I don't think that we should be worried at the moment, but might be worth keeping an eye open for any developments.

What money grabbing, low life ba*rds lawyers are eh? She looks like the sort of person that would turn on you for a few quid as well. Oh dear looks like I might have them onto me now... er allegedly.

Tensing · Post: # 29540Post **Tensing** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:41 am

As a mumsnet member, I have to say there were some pretty heated debates about her methods, and some very nasty comment about her.

Some people can get very bitchy when they are online, I think they feel safe as they can not be seen, so they write some really nasty hurtful things.

Boots · Post: # 29579Post **Boots** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:00 pm

Incredible really... Columnists or reviewers trash peoples dress sense in magazines, acting ability, marriage choices, parenting choices, partners , weight, writing style.... ALL THE TIME! The precedent has well and truly been set.

So a few people don't like her methods, or have decided they don't like her. So what makes her different to every other person on earth? Will someone pop the womans bubble? We all cop it at some time, no matter where we live and however good our intentions are.
That's life, lady.

At some time all people are mean spirited, whingey assed, finger pointing, grown ups who think they know what's going on. Some get stuck in it, some just dabble in it. That's just the way life is.

Muddypause · Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:45 pm

Very well put, Boots.

Assuming that she has the same access to the forum as everyone else, you would think maybe the sensible thing to do would be to post a simple statement outlining her position and refuting the things that are upsetting her. Not getting involved in any argument, just stating her case.

I wonder if it is really down to her, or whether the publishing company have instigated all this. Bullies never seem to grasp the fact that threatening people doesn't actually make them respect you more.

The trouble for Mumsnet is, in the end, it's not really down to them, but to their ISP, who will almost certainly acquiesce if Mumsnet do not comply. After all, what difference does it make to them? And so it is that people can control what it is that others can say about them. Add that to a music industry who want to control what people can listen to.

Disgusting, I call it.

Muddypause · Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:48 pm

Andy Hamilton wrote:what muddy meant to say was

Muddypause wrote:I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I know for a fact that **** **** (whoever she is) eats and is related to her mother.

But Andy, I thought the most damning part of that comment was the "whoever she is" bit.

The Chili Monster · Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:17 am

I'm sorry, Gina: I don't know who you are or what you do; nor do I care.
Shit, will I be sued?

Millie · Post: # 29620Post **Millie** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:41 am

We had communication from her "legal team" last year over some of our users personal opinions. They dont mince their words and by the tone Im sure they are used to being met by raised backs.

Surely if someone starts a post by saying "in my personal opinion...." then she cant really do much?

And I really wish people would stop reporting that shes a "childcare expert/guru" shes not a mother, and as far as Im aware, she doesnt have any official qualifications, well, to do with child rearing anyhow

And I should point out that I dont support the widespread hiding of her books that goes on in book shops all across the country.....

Here endeth my ramble

Millymollymandy · Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:40 am

So we'd better stop talking about all TV progs that we like to have a good old bitch about because they could sue us all.

As to this woman, I've never even heard of her, so she's lucky I can't bitch about her!!

Andy Hamilton · Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:00 pm

It is disgusting and an unfortunate sign of our times, I hate this suing culture. I used to nip onto the Jamie Oliver site for cooking tips every now and then, I found that there were a few posts slagging him off some prasing him. Should he take his own site people to court?

I will say this though - this site is for free flow of information there has been one occasion that I had to lock a post a while back as it was distressing many members. This and the very occasional note to people if something is getting personal is the only time that I feel I should do anything about freedom of speech. It was not taken lightly to lock that topic and if it was not for all the pm's and email that I got it would have stayed unlocked.

Actually, just remembered that there was one post a while back that was just unfounded personal abuse about another websites owners and I deleted that. - It was someones only post.

I guess now as we have an agent and the possibilty a publishing deal then we might end up with lawyers and the like who work for us. - Not something I look forward to. - If there is any abuse on here about me I would asume that either A- I have gotten too big for my boots and deserve it. B- I have neglected this site and deserve it. C - someone disagrees with something that I have said or done. As for the last point then what would be the point of having a forum if there was not some debate going on it.