Perry E. Metzger wrote: # They take NO risk. They are common carriers if they stop censoring # their mail. Not long after I moved here, I had a discussion with a local lawyer on common carrier status. Take my recollections for what they're worth after three years rattling around in the head of a non-attorney. One doesn't become a common carrier by virtue of personal policy. It's a label that must be applied for with the local communications regulatory authority (public utilities commission or what have you.) You must publish a tariff of your rate structure and other operating information. There's probably a lot more to do, but what it comes down to is paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, and (depending upon the lawyer) no small amount of legal time and expense. What I also heard that day was that this particular lawyer, who was obviously familiar with the process of consideration for common carrier status, would be unable to submit an application because of a conflict of interest his company would have. They represent the local telephone company, which had then, and still has now (in an unimpressive way,) an interest in getting into information services. I didn't make an exhaustive search for legal representation then, but I could imagine it taking a real expedition to find somebody that wasn't soaking up *some* of the money/influence that SWBT throws around in town (this being the state capitol.) [ Insert what Mike Godwin says next here. :-) ] Bob -- ============================================================================== Bob Izenberg voice phone: 512-891-8680 Motorola RISC Software bobi@vswr.sps.mot.com ==============================================================================