Can anyone recommend a solicitor who is familiar with Internet related issues?

AARRRGH

Hello

I am looking for a solicitor who is familiar with Internet related issues. This would very much be in the digital rights category.

Any pointers appreciated.

Thanks.

Tom Young

Refer to the forum charter.

AARRRGH

Yes I read it before posting.

Which bit are you referring to?

Duffman

Now I'd consider myself to be someone who is very interested in digital rights and related issues but I think it's fair to say that it isn't really a defined or established area of law. It's a bit of a waffly term, to put it bluntly and you're not going to find a lawyer in Ireland who makes a living from advising people about such things.

If you have a specific legal problem arising out of your online activities then it will mostly likely be a contractual, tortious or even criminal matter.

Can you be more specific than "digital rights"?

AARRRGH

OK, no problem.

Basically, a semi-Government organisation are blocking me from doing something on the Internet, because they have a moral problem with it. I have asked for documentation which backs up their moral stance, but they are unable to provide any.

What I want to do is 100% legal in Ireland.

A similar example would be like if you wanted to sell condoms online, but you were blocked from doing so as the guy who works in this semi-Government organisation thinks contraception is immoral.

It seems the only option I have left is to take legal action against them.

Tom Young

No disrespect but this sounds like complete nonsense. As you say, what you want to do is 100% legal in Ireland, right?

First, how on earth are they blocking this?

Second, why did they get involved in the first instance?

Why not go ahead and do it?

If its something like a domain registration, well I could see how that might be a blockage issue. Then again, I can't exactly see how they could once the law is clear on activities.

PS: I didn't reply to the above, apologies. The charter does mention not advertising. So specifically mentioning any firm on the board might be construed as such. In relation to Duffman, I'd tend to agree with you. One way to circumvent the processes involved might be to have a law firm position or undertake the transactions you need completed. While this would be expensive enough, its unlikely that a semi-state would take issue, say if one of Dublin's top 5 law firms were acting on your behalf.

AARRRGH

Tom Young wrote:

No disrespect but this sounds like complete nonsense. As you say, what you want to do is 100% legal in Ireland, right?

Firstly, how on earth are they blocking this?

Second, why did they get involved in the first instance?

Why not go ahead and do it?

It's not nonsense. The problem is I cannot do it without them giving me permission. Basically they have total control and can block me from doing it.

I hope you can understand that I do not want to get into specifics on a public forum.

Another more similar example: you want to register the business name "Condoms For Sale" but the person in the Companies Registration Office thinks condoms are immoral so won't give you the business name. As he has the final say, you are blocked from setting up your business.

Tom Young

Yeah, sorry I mean that the blockage is nonsense, not your business. Apologies.

Hire a firm to have it done.

PeakOutput

do you work for the semi state company or are you paying for their service?

AARRRGH

Tom Young wrote:

Yeah, sorry I mean that the blockage is nonsense, not your business. Apologies.

Hire a firm to have it done.

No worries. Yeah, I think I have no choice but to go the legal route.

I just read what you said about getting a law form to apply on my behalf. That's very interesting. I will consider that.

Thanks.

johnnyskeleton

Challenging the decision of a semi state company is a big case and it would be expensive. Generally the medium-large firms would deal with these cases, but any solicitor can take your case and bring it to court (or advise you of alternative routes).

tomED

By the sounds of things, any solicitor will be able to help you out.
It seems like nonsense to me and they're just using bullying tactics to scare you into not doing it.

I had something similar recently that I knew was just scaremongering, but I still went down the legal road just to make sure everything we did was above board. It's worth it in the end.

PM me if you need solicitors name.