Is this based on american law? Or your own countries laws? Or what?

:sign:

It just says "The law" in the TOS.

I've wondered that too. The TOS really should clarify the situation.

Hmm..I know this has been discussed recently with the mod crew, and I think it was decided to go with the law of the country in which the poster was located.

Heh. That could get mighty complicated. :D Fair, but complicated.

From the point of view of protecting both VB and its members, illegal activities should constitute those activities which are illegal both in the posters jurisdiction and in the jurisdiction in which the server is located.

Since only a couple of veggieboards members are lawyers, and the are unlikely to specialize in whatever topics might be posted about, and since michael isn't being compensated for taking on any legal risk, prudence is probably the best course of action.

Since I'm most familiar with the laws of the US and the server is located in the US that's probably what we'll go with. I have no real way of verifiying where anyone is located and the laws in the US (when it comes to the most common activities like alcohol and drug usage) tend to be more strict than other parts of the world so it's probably best to err on the side of caution. I will update the TOS to reflect this.

Could someone post examples of illegal topics?

Underage drinking and drug use, sexual innuendo towards minors, vandalism etc. spring to mind.

Does this mean that members could be in hot water if they are underage and mention that they drank a beer or what have you?

Haha its obvious who doesnt lurk in the teens forum. Yeah your post gets deleted.

No, I don't lurk in the teen forum, but I know of other people under 21 who post about drinking in other places on VB, and I haven't noticed those posts getting deleted.

Yeah we're working on addressing that now, skylark. It wasn't happening THAT much for a while but it seems like it's been on the upswing lately. Maybe b/c school's starting to let out :D

Can I go into a bottle store or supermarket to buy alcohol?
If you are over 18: you can do this by yourself.
Under 18: you can do this if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian who supplies the alcohol to you

Can I serve alcohol at my party at home?

You can let people drink alcohol at your party at any age but you cannot sell it to them

Didnt know those laws!

No, I don't lurk in the teen forum, but I know of other people under 21 who post about drinking in other places on VB, and I haven't noticed those posts getting deleted.

I'm presuming an 18 year old Australian can post that he or she drinks?

Danny, is that in NZ? AFAIK you still have to be 21 in all parts of the US to buy alcohol. (Nobody hate me if it varies in some states.)

I'm presuming an 18 year old Australian can post that he or she drinks?
Yep..since it's legal for them to do so.

Re: the "trouble with minors":

While adults aren't encouraged to post about illegal activities either, they can be deemed responsible for their own actions.

By allowing minors to make such posts though, VB/Michael could be considered to be promoting the deliquency of a minor, etc. Even if the minor in question said "yeah, I posted that voluntarily", their parent/guardian could complain or cause trouble.

Danny, is that in NZ? AFAIK you still have to be 21 in all parts of the US to buy alcohol. (Nobody hate me if it varies in some states.)

Yeah Nz laws. I think they're out of date though, Im not to sure. They dont really effect me.. so I won't find out :p

I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but would it also be permissible for someone in central Africa to post about performing female circumcision since it is legal there?
Sure, anyone who did post in support of that would get chased out by the majority, but I'm testing to see where the line is.

I think I know the answer to this question, at least regarding marijuana, but is it permissible for someone to post about recreational drug use if is legal in their country? I recall several people within the US (and not in California) posting about such things recently. It's nothing personal. I just want to know what the boundaries are.

If it's legal for you then I would think you could discuss these activities, but not in a way that would encourage others to partake in any activity that might be illegal for someone else.

what he said ^^^

*chuckles* ..a pro female circumcision poster wouldn't stand a chance. :evil:

I just want to know what the boundaries are.

Then you need to push them.

is it illigal to use :beer: if you're underage ? how about :hump: ?

:p

Underage drinking and drug use, sexual innuendo towards minors, vandalism etc. spring to mind.

These are a few of my favorite things...

:lol:

The Rev

I'm presuming an 18 year old Australian can post that he or she drinks?

What about the countries without a drinking age?