Payback Inc. discovers that defamatory statements about its policies are being posted in an online forum. Q Web Inc., the Internet service provider whose users are posting the messages, refuses to reveal the users' identities. To obtain those identities, Payback should initially
A)file a suit against the anonymous users.
B)gain unauthorized access to Q Web's servers.
C)file a suit against Q Web.
D)ask the U.S. Department of Justice to issue a subpoena.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Filing a suit against the anonymous users is the initial legal step Payback Inc. can take to potentially compel the disclosure of the users' identities through the legal process. Unauthorized access to servers, suing the ISP without direct cause, or involving the Department of Justice without a lawsuit are not appropriate initial steps.