Arthur writes:
A dilemma: if you are writing a paper, and you want to quote someone's posted (say, to cypherpunks) remarks, what are the obligations? 1) None: by posting, people make their words public domain. 2) No legal obligations, but it would be polite to ask permission. 3) Whatever is posted is de facto copyright, and the person whose words you took could sue you for breach of copyright.
(3) is closest to the truth. You can still quote someone within Fair Use guidelines, however.
Now let's shift to a MOO or IRC: You keep a log of a conversation. Would the same rules/customs apply if you wanted to include that log in a paper?
Yes.
Does it matter if the conversation was held in a private room or in a public place on the MOO?
No.
Does it matter whether the paper is written to fulfill a class assignment or is intended for publication in a for-profit magazine?
Yes. The former poses no copyright problems. --Mike