Liability for Blogs, Emails & RSS Feeds?
It may not be something you think about when you’re reading one of your favorite blogs or RSS feeds, but each electronic media element that you see could be putting a number of individuals and/or companies at risk.
Not only is the creator of that electronic content at risk for lawsuits or other potential risks, so are the 3rd parties who are tied to that content, such as: ISP’s, Feed Aggregators, Websites, marketing companies, technology companies, etc. Even publishing a “negative” comment about a business or individual could land you in hot water if you’re tied to it and someone believes it is “defamatory”. Copyright and trademark infringement fall in the same boat… you publish it or host it (or contribute to it), you could be found liable.
Yes, there are risks online and in other media formats… but there’s hope.
There is a special type of liability insurance called “Electronic Media Activity” coverage that can help protect you from:
- Defamation
- Right to privacy
- Plagiarism/Piracy
- Copyright infringement
- Negligence
This special coverage is available from Stuckey & Company (www.stuckey.com). Electronic Media Activities services are typically not described on professional liability insurance policies as a covered service. Stuckey’s policy gives coverage for electronic publishing, web casting, or other distribution of electronic content on the internet.
Whether you think you need this coverage or not, you might want to contact your insurance broker and find out. If they don’t provide it themselves, they can signup up w/ Stuckey & Company to get it. You also have the option of getting the coverage directly through www.stuckey.com or via one of their listed brokers.
Bits & Pieces | Cory | February 1, 2008
