Privacy questions reviewed by actual attorney!

Ok, I asked my resident family lawyer a few questions concerning the recent computer privacy debate and here's what he had to say: I asked: Say you buy someone's old computer from them and it contains their personal data that they forgot to delete. Say its really personal stuff (love letters, sexual fantasies, journals, etc). A) do you "own" that data? B) are you free to do with it as you please? C) can the original owner sue you for anything if you publish that data (like sell it to the National Enquirer?) And his replies: A) do you "own" that data? It goes to the intention of the parties. I don't think that the seller intends to sell private information only the computer. B) Are you free to do with it as you please? No, you would be liable for any invasion of privacy. C) can the original owner sue you for anything if you publish that data (like sell it to the National Enquirer?) Yes. -- Sorry if these questions were rather simplistic. If anyone has some better questions to ask then send them to me and I'll forward them along. Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! [Last web site update: 05/25/99]