Texas judge orders site to identify anonymous trolls, flamers

[WilldCrd]

just for giggles i went over to the topix website. you dont even have to register there.
to post a comment you just type whatever cool intardnet name ya want then post away. lol goodl uck getting all those names 

[fergie]

This is the original thread http://www.topix.com/forum/city/clarksville-tx/T0SFJGJH99COJ51K6

The order is for IP addresses http://theparisnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8d14fe15da0c4e65

[WilldCrd]

from the 2nd website

They (Topix officials) seem to be cooperating,” Lesher said. “Once we get the IPs, then I suppose the forensics with the law firm can proceed with the case against the bloggers. There are a few hurdles to go through, and we have been told this is the first such case being pursued against bloggers who have targeted individuals.”

Alot of people are OR should be watching this closely, for political and legal reasons. (nuf said on that here due to rulz)
as for the tech side, they aint kidding about the hurdles  once they get the IP address then they will have to find out what ISP, if it was mobile like wireless, if it was from a bussiness or school. Lots and lots of hurdles. least its not at taxpayers expense.
I still think this is a monumental waste of time as far as a conviction is concerned or even a judgement.
now if there is a hidden agenda for setting a precedent and this is just the means to that end.......well anything else i have to say on that would get this thread locked and my spanked by skuzzy 

[Airborne]

ok, so where are the law students?


Im somewhat familiar with the some laws- from personal interest readings on the subject, but am by no means a lawyer or paralegal (the ones who do the real work).

The question here is, I know lawyers will cite instances of past court precedings/rulings in order to strengthen their case are argue why they CAN do something or why something CANT be done... The question is, can they use the rulings/judgements from lawsuits to their advantage, or only from criminal cases?

[klingan]

This is the original thread http://www.topix.com/forum/city/clarksville-tx/T0SFJGJH99COJ51K6

The order is for IP addresses http://theparisnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8d14fe15da0c4e65

But getting an IP-address doesn't prove who wrote it ?

[Animl]

on the topic of the flammers, this case will ultimately go nowhere. I know one of the people that posted on this topic on the board in question. His post was one of the vile ones but even if it was they would be able to determine who he really is. For one when he registered he didnt use his real name, he used a free email acct <like i do for such things> and his laptop , like mine is constantly changing ip address, not to mention certain security measures that also helps protect ones identity. I know not EVERYONE can say the same thing, but, its not always so easy to drill down to get someone's real name. There are alot of factors involved AND its also dependent on the posters registering with their real name and email addy. I'm not saying it cant be done, but i bet they cant get all 178 names. I know for sure there is one they can't get but, i doubt his post was liable

Wanna make a bet on that?

[Animl]

But getting an IP-address doesn't prove who wrote it ?

It can prove which machine it came from,...hence ISP records. Same way they catch child porn morons. Don't think you can't ever be found out,.. all it takes is someone to look.

[klingan]

It can prove which machine it came from,...hence ISP records. Don't think you can't ever be found out,.. all it takes is someone to look.

Well a machine can be used by several ppl. They can not all be guilty. If all you have is a IP you will have a hard time to prove who it was that wrote the "insults".

[Vulcan]

Well a machine can be used by several ppl. They can not all be guilty. If all you have is a IP you will have a hard time to prove who it was that wrote the "insults".

Or if the IP is NAT'd (which is very common), or if there was a proxy server used...

[Kurtank]

See Rule #6

[Animl]

Well a machine can be used by several ppl. They can not all be guilty. If all you have is a IP you will have a hard time to prove who it was that wrote the "insults".

Not as hard as you may think. All depends on how deep they want to look. Would they look that deep for this ? <shrug>

[WilldCrd]

Wanna make a bet on that?

on what part?

[Vulcan]

Not as hard as you may think. All depends on how deep they want to look. Would they look that deep for this ? <shrug>

Err yes it is. If it's behind a NAT device they might pick up a browser type used and thats about it (and even that can be faked). Most people don't keep router logs at that level so then it comes down too pure heresay. As for a machine being used by several people, depends how it is used, if different logins are used and browser history/event logs are kept long enough, maybe, but without those once again it's guesswork.