Re: So are you going to be the one to enforce this? - Edit 1
Before modification by NaClH2O at 22/09/2009 12:44:36 PM
I don't think any proof should be necessary at all (see my comment about how wotmania was filled with spoiler-free reviews for at least the last three books with no negative effects to speak of). No system for prooving something like this would be foolproof in today's day and age, of course.
Yet this is what you said.
"Surely the idea of making reviewers provide proof that they do actually have the book would put this issue to rest once and for all while also ensuring that the site only offers genuine reviews?"
So I ask you again, are YOU personally willing to be the one to make sure the reviewers provide proof? Or are you just willing to give others more work?
I'm missing the Napster connection here. RAFO has stipulated that reviews be spoiler/content-free, so noone would be allowed to post quotes from the book. One's impressions about a book, CD, movie, or any other copyrighted work are not copyrightable as far as I know. On a side note, do you really think every RAFO member would be personally liable to Tor if one member posted one quote from the book?
Again are you willing to police the reviews to be sure they are spoiler free? Sid said he wouldn't, and I don't blame him. And I never said that RAFO members would be leagally responsible, and if I inadvertantly gave that impression I apologize; but RAFO as an website may be subject to shutdown.
NaCl(but obviously it's going to happen anyway, just wanted to be on record as being against it)H2O
If the admins have a serious concern about legal liability, I say don't allow the reviews. If the only serious concern is one of authenticity/credibility, though, I don't see the problem. RAFO isn't vauching for the reviews in any way, and no WoT sites that I know of have been made laughing stocks in the past over silly or just plain inaccurate reviews.