Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Michael Winslow Czeiszperger <michael AT czeiszperger.org>]

I do a lot of "business email" these days with companies all over the  
world, and have noticed the growing popularity of legal disclaimers on  
email, such as the one below. Does anyone have an idea why the heck  
companies feel its necessary to include *pages* worth of legal drivel  
with each email? (Note that I changed the name of the company to  
Wally's Widgets and other details to protect the guilty.)

--Michael

************************************************************************ 
***************************************
Important: This message is intended for the use of the person(s) ("the  
Intended Recipient") to whom it is addressed. It may contain  
information which is privileged and confidential within the meaning of  
applicable law. Accordingly dissemination, distribution, copying or  
other use of this message or any of its contents by any person other  
than the Intended Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or  
criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended  
Recipient please contact the sender as soon as possible.

All reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure no viruses are  
present in this E-mail. As the Group cannot accept responsibility for  
loss or damage arising from the use of this E-mail or attachments we  
recommend that you subject these to your virus checking procedures  
prior to use.

Neither the information nor the opinions expressed herein constitutes,  
or is to be construed as, an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy  
or sell investments. The information contained herein is based on  
sources which we believe to be reliable, but we do not represent that  
it is wholly accurate or complete. Wally's Widgets Ltd and/or connected  
persons may have used this material, or the research or analysis on  
which it is based, before publication. Wally's Widgets Ltd and/or  
connected persons may, from time to time, as principal or agent, make  
purchases, sales and/or offers to purchase and/or sell in the open  
market or otherwise. We may also have a position or holding in any  
investment mentioned herein, or a related investment, as a result of  
engaging in such transactions.

Wally's Widgets Ltd and its affiliates are not responsible for any  
errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such  
information. All opinions and estimates included in this report are  
subject to change without notice. This report is intended for qualified  
customers of Wally's Widgets Limited and its affiliates. Any  
investments discussed in this report may not be suitable for all  
investors. Investors should make their own investment decisions based  
upon their own financial objectives and financial resources and it  
should be noted that investment involves risk. Past performance is not  
necessarily a guide to future performance and an investor may not get  
back the amount originally invested. Where investment is made in  
currencies other than the investor's base currency, movements in  
exchange rates will have an effect on the value, either favourable or  
unfavourable.

Wally's Widgets Limited
88 Steel Street
London
EC2V 7US


SEARCH(tm), RTFM(tm), Rodents in the News(tm), Smaller Rodents in the  
News(tm), squareAngle(tm), triAngle(tm) and obtuseAngle(tm) are all  
trademarks of Wally's Widgets Limited.

Wally's Widgets Limited is regulated by the FSA and a member of the  
London Stock Exchange, OFEX and ISMA. E&OE.

___________________________________________________________________
Ending a sentence with a preposition is nothing to be ashamed of.
        -- michael at czeiszperger dot org, Chapel Hill, NC