... just to clarify, Michael:

>> Someone here said something like no slander could occur on a message board,
>> therefor there were no possible legal ramifications of allowing a man's
>> business to be discussed without his knowledge. ... Hell, I'm not even sure
>> of the difference between libel and slander.

Legally, it is true that no "slander" can occur on a message board, but only because slander is spoken defamation while libel is written defamation. Thus, libel CAN take place on a message board.

The mere fact that a "discussion" of a man's business takes place without his knowledge truly has no legal ramifications. Such a discussion can, however, have legal ramifications if statements made in the discussion are libelous (or possibly an invasion of privacy or tortious interference). Those legal ramifications are, however, no greater when the discussion takes place without the knowledge of the person being discussed than they would be if he were given a chance to "defend" himself. And, giving him that chance would not be a defense if otherwise actionable statements are made about him.

I am not aware of any legal requirement that someone be notified before his business is discussed in a public setting. ----- jim o\-S