Don't register or host your domain in the U.S. if it's controversial — part 2

Last year, I wrote that you should never host or register your web site in the U.S. if it's at all controversial.

The problem is this: someone who wants to shut you down — whether it's someone whose business you interfere with, or the government itself — can usually find a judge somewhere who will be happy to issue a court order seizing your domain name or ordering your hosting provider to shut you down. Hosting your domain and servers overseas gives you a considerable amount of cushion against such abuses of the legal system.

In this week's news, we learn of a judge in New Jersey who has ordered three web sites shut down [ComputerWorld] because they oppose the H-1B visa system.

Judge James Hurley has ordered the three web sites shut down because of a lawsuit by Apex Technology Group Inc., which is suing the three sites for libel, based apparently on anonymous comments left on the sites.

In addition, there is some brouhaha about leaked documents. The leakers should have known to send the documents to wikileaks, who have a history of surviving such legal challenges. (Although, when I just now checked their web site, they've suspended operations while they look for more funding. I think they're a good cause, you might consider contributing.)

You can also read more at vdare.com, another anti-immigrant website.

Related news: According to SlashDot, political parody group "The Yes Men" have had their parody site pulled off line by the Canadian Government.