With Craigslist's decision to replace its "adult services" section of its "Services" classifieds with a "Censored" bar that blocks that content, the online powerhouse has once again become a magnet for controversy among those who view the move as a cave-in to limit free speech and to those who accuse the site of facilitating prostitution and possibly a now-dead serial killer's agenda.

In a poll Mashable is conducting about the change, the website asked readers if Craigslist's "adult services" should be censored. So far, 71 percent of more than 1,800 who have responded said no, it shouldn't be censored (although the caveat to that "no" is "because prostitution shouldn't be illegal anyway.")

In its coverage of the possible free-speech ramifications of the decision, the New York Times boiled down the issue: "Just how much responsibility does a Web site have for what is posted by its users, or for potential criminal activity that results from the posts?"

The liability issue has stirred up lots of debate.

"If you impose liability on Craigslist, YouTube and Facebook for anything their users do, then they're not going to take chances," Brian Carver, an attorney and assistant professor at the UC Berkeley school of information, told The San Francisco Chronicle last week in a story about the Aug. 24 demand from attorneys general to Craigslist to shut down the "Adult Services" section. "It would likely result in the takedown of what might otherwise be perfectly legitimate free expression."

Technology Liberation Front blogger Ryan Radia wrote: "While the state attorneys general are likely celebrating victory this holiday weekend, all they’ve really done is to stifle free speech online and complicate efforts by law enforcement authorities to go after the real bad guys — you know, the ones who are forcing kids into sex slavery."

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/09/06/5055303-craigslists-adult-services-decision-a-blow-to-free-speech-

Atlanta’s biggest law firms are giving up floor after floor of the best office space in the city as they try to slash tens of millions of dollars in real estate costs.

Large firms that can combine the best talent with the lowest overhead will have the advantage as their clients continue to cut back on legal work and fees, industry insiders said.

The latest giant on the verge of making a move is Alston & Bird LLP, which leases about 435,000 square feet between two buildings, One Atlantic Center and Atlantic Center Plaza at West Peachtree and 14th streets. Atlanta Business Chronicle has reported that many expect the law firm will consolidate into about 300,000 square feet within the 50-story One Atlantic Center.

The developer Daniel Corp. has also pitched the law firm on a new office tower.

A decision could be reached in September, according to sources familiar with negotiations.

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/09/06/story5.html?b=1283745600%5E3893351

The Dodd-Frank financial law passed in July provides for the larger bounties, with the hope of fingering wrongdoers such as Bernard Madoff before they swindle thousands of people.

People who supply "original information" about large frauds could net as much as 30% of the penalties and recovered funds collected by the SEC, which could add up to a multimillion-dollar payout.

Lawyers who represent whistle-blowers have been spreading the word about the new incentives.

"We've gotten some very high-quality tips," said SEC official Stephen Cohen.

He said the program aims to get timely information from insiders close to a fraud so the SEC can bring a case quickly, limit the damage and recover funds for victims. "The goal is not just to get more tips; we want to get more high-quality tips," Mr. Cohen said.

Defense lawyers warn that the bounty program could spawn a flood of frivolous cases that create headaches for companies.

Also, the large awards could spur employees to report problems to the government instead of working through normal corporate channels and letting the company self-report any issues, said William Jordan, a corporate defense attorney at Atlanta law firm Alston & Bird LLP.