[LINK] Re: Does an email account constitute a "letterhead"?

[Ivan Trundle]

On 15/03/2006, at 12:37 PM, Eleanor Lister wrote:

> Ivan Trundle wrote:
>
>> Wholeheartedly agree on all these points, Craig - but how do we get
>> around the nonsensical 'disclaimeritis' that pervades organisations?
>> I've yet to see the phenomena diminish, and it appears as though no-
>> one is prepared to say what utter tosh the whole thing is - to those
>> who make the decisions on footers.
>>
> counter them with a disclaimer- disclaimer?

Like this? (pinched from a well-known list, but author unknown)

IMPORTANT: This email is intended for the use of the individual
addressee(s) named above and may contain information that is
confidential, privileged or unsuitable for overly sensitive
persons with low self-esteem, no sense of humour or irrational
religious beliefs. If you are not the intended recipient, any
dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is not
authorised (either explicitly or implicitly) and constitutes an
irritating social faux pas. Unless the word absquatulation has
been used in its correct context somewhere other than in this
warning, it does not have any legal or grammatical use and may be
ignored. No animals were harmed in the transmission of this
email, although the yorkshire terrier next door is living on
borrowed time, let me tell you. Those of you with an overwhelming
fear of the unknown will be gratified to learn that there is no
hidden message revealed by reading this warning backwards, so
just ignore that Alert Notice from Microsoft: However, by pouring
a complete circle of salt around yourself and your computer you
can ensure that no harm befalls you and your pets. If you have
received this email in error, please add some nutmeg and egg
whites and place it in a warm oven for 40 minutes. Whisk briefly
and let it stand for 2 hours before icing.

or perhaps:

What you are reading originates from the internet, and therefore
may not be from the alleged source. If you have any doubts about
the origin or content of this document please contact us directly
via alternative communication channels that are better able to
authenticate our true existence.


But more seriously, there are sites that defend such practices:

http://www.email-policy.com/

(and many more)

Fundamentally, there appear to be two camps: those who know what a  
load of bollocks the whole thing is, and those who defend what they  
believe is an important legal and ethical imperative, based on a weak  
understanding of the processes and protocols. But the latter group is  
growing, which means that the understanding will eventually be  
corrupted.

But I do like Eleanor's disclaimer, all the same...

iT


>
> -- 
> ------------
> Eleanor Ashley Lister
> ---------------------
> This disclaimer is Utter Tosh, and just like everybody else's,
> imposes no duties or limitations, and expresses no rights,
> in any legal, moral or ethical sense whatsoever.
> ---------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Link mailing list
> Link at mailman.anu.edu.au
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--
Ivan Trundle
ivan at itrundle.com
http://itrundle.com
ph: +61 418 244 259
fx: +61 2 6286 8742
skype: callto://ivanovitchk