IANAL
IANAL is an old acronym that first gained relevance on the Usenet. It's a disclaimer that's short for "I Am Not A Lawyer," and it was used to preface any posting that contained legalese advice or an observation about a legal issue made by someone outside the legal profession.
It has, unfortunately, largely fallen into disuse -- especially as evidenced, it seems, by the comments that are made by people who read articles related to Apple's recent legal machinations. Since December, the company has subpoenaed or threatened to subpoena several news sites that spilled the beans on its future product plans, including the Mac mini (which turned out to be true) and an as-yet unrevealed product referred to as "Asteroid," that apparently connects musical instruments to the Mac. Or brews espresso. Or changes the oil in your car.
Anyway, the long and short of is that any article that references this -- or any other major legal maneuver from Apple, Microsoft and other companies -- seems to engender a lot of very well-meant but totally unqualified opinion from people who are interested in such things.
I just wish they'd all remember the basic IANAL principle -- not only to temper other people's reactions to what they write, but perhaps to give themselves a gentle reminder that they're wading into deep water that may not be the best suited for their swimming skills.
Comments
I'll admit that Usenet was a tad before my time, but I think that you have the right sentiment. Normally I'd chock it up to the nature of the Internet and the relative anonymity, but you've pointed that this isn't the case. Perhaps rather it's the recent fast paced adoption of the Internet that has brought a large number of users ready to share their opinion on something that's largely unqualified, but will argue as if it is.
It's become far too easy to denounce a legal action as ridiculous or support it as if it's a foregone conclusion without any real insight into what makes the case.
Posted by: Derik | February 16, 2005 09:37 AM
iAnal. I think that's the real reason people stopped using it.
Posted by: FC | February 17, 2005 01:40 AM
I've been on Usenet, if not for several months, but I never did learn what IANAL was. Of course, some people don't know about IMHO.
Posted by: Alphax | February 17, 2005 07:46 PM