2aa5d2c741af509ae3da63b7a6cfb9aaa0b50227
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

1) <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN"
2) "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd">
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

3) 
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

4) <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

5) <head>
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

6)  <title>Legal FAQ for Tor Server Operators</title>
7)  <meta name="Author" content="EFF" />
8)  <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
9)  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../stylesheet.css" />
10)  <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="/favicon.ico" />
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

11) </head>
12) <body>
13) 
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

14) <!-- TITLE BAR & NAVIGATION -->
Thomas Sjögren Fix forgotten EFF pages

Thomas Sjögren authored 19 years ago

15) 
16) <table class="banner" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
17)     <tr>
18)         <td class="banner-left"></td>
19)         <td class="banner-middle">
20)             <a href="../index.html">Home</a>
21)           | <a href="../howitworks.html">How It Works</a>
22)           | <a href="../download.html">Download</a>
23)           | <a href="../documentation.html">Docs</a>
24)           | <a href="../users.html">Users</a>
25)           | <a href="../faq.html">FAQs</a>
Andrew Lewman Updated to point to volunte...

Andrew Lewman authored 19 years ago

26)           | <a href="../volunteer.html">Contribute</a>
Thomas Sjögren Fix forgotten EFF pages

Thomas Sjögren authored 19 years ago

27)           | <a href="../developers.html">Developers</a>
28)           | <a href="../research.html">Research</a>
29)           | <a href="../people.html">People</a>
30)         </td>
31)         <td class="banner-right"></td>
32)     </tr>
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

33) </table>
Thomas Sjögren Fix forgotten EFF pages

Thomas Sjögren authored 19 years ago

34) 
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

35) <!-- END TITLE BAR & NAVIGATION -->
36) 
Thomas Sjögren Fix forgotten EFF pages

Thomas Sjögren authored 19 years ago

37) <div class="center"> 
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

38) <div class="main-column">
39) 
40) <!-- PUT CONTENT AFTER THIS TAG -->
41) 
42) <h2>Legal FAQ for Tor Server Operators</h2>
43) <hr />
Roger Dingledine commit tweaks to the tor le...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

44) <p>FAQ written by the Electronic Frontier
Roger Dingledine update timestamp on legal faq

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

45) Foundation (<a href="http://www.eff.org/">EFF</a>). Last updated 25 Apr 2005.</p>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

46) 
47) <p><strong>NOTE:</strong> This FAQ is for informational purposes only
48) and does not constitute legal advice.  EFF has not analyzed any
Roger Dingledine commit tweaks to the tor le...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

49) particular factual situation or laws in drafting this FAQ. Our aim is
50) to provide a general description of the legal issues surrounding
51) Tor.  Different factual situations and different legal jurisdictions will
52) result in different answers to a number of questions.  Therefore, please
53) do not act on this information alone; if you have any
54) specific legal problems, issues, or questions, seek a complete review of
55) your situation with a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.
56) </p>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

57) 
58) <p>Also, if you received this document from anywhere besides <a
Roger Dingledine update the url that the tor...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

59) href="http://tor.eff.org/eff/tor-legal-faq.html">http://tor.eff.org/eff/tor-legal-faq.html</a>,
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

60) it may be out of date. Follow the link to get the latest version.</p>
61) 
Roger Dingledine separate the notice at the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

62) <hr />
63) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

64) <a id="Lawsuits"></a>
65) <h3><a class="anchor" href="#Lawsuits">Has anyone ever been sued for running Tor?
66) </a></h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

67) 
Roger Dingledine tighten some of the tor-leg...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

68) <p><strong>No.</strong> Further, we believe that running a Tor node,
69) including a Tor exit node that allows people to anonymously send and
70) receive traffic, is lawful under U.S. law.</p>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

71) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

72) <a id="IllegalPurposes"></a>
73) <h3><a class="anchor" href="#IllegalPurposes">Should I use Tor,
74) or encourage the use of Tor, for illegal purposes
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

75) such as spamming, harassment, distribution of child porn, or copyright
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

76) infringement?</a></h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

77) 
78) <p><strong>No.</strong> Tor has been developed to be a tool for free
Roger Dingledine commit tweaks to the tor le...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

79) speech, privacy, and human rights.  It is not a tool designed or intended
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

80) to be used to break the law, either by Tor users or Tor server
81) operators.</p>
82) 
83) <p>We further recommend that you not keep any potentially illegal files
Roger Dingledine commit tweaks to the tor le...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

84) on the same machine you use for Tor, nor use that machine for any illegal
85) purpose.  Although no Tor server has ever been seized, nor any server
86) operator subpoenaed, the future possibility cannot be ruled out. If that
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

87) happens, you will want your machine to be clean.</p>
88) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

89) <h3>Can EFF promise that I won't get in trouble for running a Tor
90) server?</h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

91) 
92) <p><strong>No.</strong> All new technologies create legal uncertainties,
Roger Dingledine commit tweaks to the tor le...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

93) and Tor is no exception to the rule. Presently, no court has ever considered any
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

94) case involving the Tor technology, and we therefore cannot guarantee
95) that you will never face any legal liability as a result of running a
Roger Dingledine minor tweak on tor legal fa...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

96) Tor server. However, EFF believes so strongly that those running Tor
97) servers shouldn't be liable for traffic that passes through the server
98) that we're running our own Tor server.
Roger Dingledine tighten some of the tor-leg...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

99) </p>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

100) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

101) <h3>Will EFF represent me if I get in trouble for running a Tor
102) server?</h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

103) 
104) <p><strong>Maybe.</strong> While EFF cannot promise legal representation
105) of all Tor server operators, it will assist server operators in
106) assessing the situation and will try to locate qualified legal counsel
107) when necessary.  Inquiries to EFF for the purpose of securing legal
108) representation or referrals should be directed to staff attorney Kevin
Roger Dingledine add kevin's email address t...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

109) Bankston (bankston at eff.org or US +1 (415) 436-9333 x 126). Such
110) inquiries will be kept
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

111) confidential subject to the limits of the attorney/client privilege.
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

112) Note that although EFF cannot practice law outside of the U.S., it will
113) still try to assist non-U.S. server operators in finding local
114) representation.</p>
115) 
116) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

117) <h3>Should I contact the Tor developers when I have legal questions
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

118) about Tor or to inform them if I suspect Tor is being used for illegal
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

119) purposes?</h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

120) 
121) <p><strong>No.</strong> Tor&rsquo;s core developers, Roger Dingledine
122) and Nick Mathewson, are available to answer technical questions, but
123) they are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice.  Nor do they have any
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

124) ability to prevent illegal activity that may occur through Tor servers.
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

125) Furthermore, your communications with Tor&rsquo;s core developers are
126) not protected by any legal privilege, so law enforcement or civil
127) litigants could subpoena and obtain any information you give to
128) them.</p>
129) 
130) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

131) <h3>If I receive a request from law enforcement or anyone else for my
132) Tor server's logs, what should I do?</h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

133) 
134) <p><strong>Educate them about Tor.</strong> In most instances, properly
135) configured Tor servers will have no useful data for inquiring parties,
136) and you should feel free to educate them on this point.  To the extent
137) you do maintain logs, however, you should not disclose them to any third
138) party without first consulting a lawyer.  In the U.S., such a disclosure
139) may violate the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and server
140) operators outside of the U.S. may be subject to similar data protection
141) laws.</p>
142) 
143) <p>You may receive legal inquiries where you are prohibited by law from
144) telling anyone about the request.  We believe that, at least in the
145) U.S., such gag orders do not prevent you from talking to a lawyer,
146) including calling a lawyer to find representation.  Inquiries to EFF for
147) the purpose of securing legal representation should be directed to staff
Roger Dingledine add kevin's email address t...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

148) attorney Kevin Bankston (bankston at eff.org or US +1 (415) 436-9333
149) x126). Such inquiries
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

150) will be kept confidential subject to the limits of the attorney/client
151) privilege.</p>
152) 
153) <p>EFF is currently working on informational materials to help you
154) respond to the most likely types of legal requests or notices, so watch
155) this space.</p>
156) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

157) <h3>My ISP/University/etc just sent me a DMCA notice. What should I do?</h3>
Roger Dingledine link the tor dmca response...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

158) 
Roger Dingledine oops, fix html

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

159) <p>The EFF has written a <a
Thomas Sjögren Fix forgotten EFF pages

Thomas Sjögren authored 19 years ago

160) href="tor-dmca-response.html">short template</a>
Roger Dingledine link the tor dmca response...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

161) to help you write a response to your ISP/University/etc, to let them
162) know about the details of DMCA safe harbor, and how Tor fits in. Note
Roger Dingledine oops, fix html

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

163) that this only refers to a U.S. jurisdiction.</p>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

164) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

165) <a id="ExitSnooping"></a>
166) <h3><a class="anchor" href="#ExitSnooping">Should I snoop on the plaintext
167) that exits through my Tor server?</a></h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

168) 
169) <p><strong>No.</strong> You are technically capable of monitoring or
Roger Dingledine commit tweaks to the tor le...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

170) logging plaintext that exits your node if you modify the Tor source
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

171) code or install additional software to enable such snooping.  However,
172) Tor server operators in the U.S. can create legal and possibly even
173) criminal liability for themselves under state or federal wiretap laws if
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

174) they affirmatively monitor, log, or disclose Tor users'
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

175) communications, while non-U.S. operators may be subject to similar laws.
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

176) Do not examine the contents of anyone's communications without
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

177) first talking to a lawyer.</p>
178) 
179) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

180) <h3>Do Tor's core developers make any promises about the
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

181) trustworthiness or reliability of Tor servers that are listed in their
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

182) directory?</h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

183) 
184) <p><strong>No.</strong> Although the developers attempt to verify that
185) Tor servers listed in the directory the core developers maintain are
186) stable and have adequate bandwidth, neither they nor EFF can guarantee
187) the personal trustworthiness or reliability of the individuals who run
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

188) those servers.  Tor's core developers further reserve the right to
189) refuse a Tor server operator's request to be listed in their
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

190) directory or to remove any server from their directory for any
191) reason.</p>
192) 
193) 
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

194) <h3>Is the Tor software subject to any license terms?</h3>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

195) 
196) <p><strong>Yes.</strong> The Tor license is included in the software
197) download and reproduced below:</p>
198) 
Roger Dingledine make the license more corre...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

199) <p>Copyright (c) 2001-2005 Roger Dingledine<br />
200) Copyright (c) 2004-2005 Nick Mathewson</p>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

201) 
202) <p>Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
203) modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
204) met:</p>
205) 
206) <ul>
207) 
208) <li>Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
209) notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.</li>
210) 
211) <li>Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
212) notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
213) documentation and/or other materials provided with the
214) distribution.</li>
215) 
216) <li>Neither the names of the copyright owners nor the names of its
217) contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
218) this software without specific prior written permission.</li>
219) 
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

220) </ul>
221) 
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

222) <p>THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
Roger Dingledine put anchors on some of the...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

223) "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

224) BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
225) FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
226) COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
227) INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
228) NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
229) USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
230) ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
231) (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
232) THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.</p>
233) 
Roger Dingledine wrap the tor-legal-faq in o...

Roger Dingledine authored 19 years ago

234) </div><!-- #main -->
235) </div>
Chris Palmer First commit of the EFF Tor...

Chris Palmer authored 20 years ago

236) </body>
237) </html>