PayPal to fine people for legal purchases.

[halimede]

Reuters reports that Paypal will soon fine people up to $500 for uses related to adult content.

'The new policy, which takes effect Sept. 24 and applies to both buyers and sellers, marks the first time PayPal has imposed fines for violations of its use policy, spokeswoman Amanda Pires said

Comments

[hafren]

Can people who aren't governments or law courts fine anyone?

[halimede]

I pay the library a fine if I return books late, so I'd say yes. I'm wondering if a company is allowed to dictate use like this, though. I'm inclined to think not, but the legalities are probably hazy. I can think of examples in both directions. The other thing is that books being late is a fairly well-described state. Porn? Not so much. If they really wanted to do this they'd have to check every vendor out there and give them a certificate of aproval for it to be fair. Otherwise, how do you know if that second hand copy of Lady Chatterley's lover does or doesn't fit their definition?

Methinks international payment methods need more diversity.

[hafren]

Yeah, but the library (at least over here) is a department of local government, which can set fines same as they can for parking. This is just a bunch of guys...

[halimede]

Nope, I pay fines to private, non-government related libraries too. As far as I can tell the IIAV gets subsidized but is *not* a branch of local government (any more than a drama club that gets subsidy would be). I have 'just a bunch of guys' qualms too, but not quite about that. It's ridiculous though, that they're in a position that they can do this and not worry about going out of business. If I forget to return a library book I'm not looking at an amount that could seriously fuck up my life. Five hundred dollars is a huge amount of money to most people, and the definition of porn --sorry, uses related to adult content (emphasis mine)-- is vague enough that I don't think it's overly paranoid to worry about random fining for reasonable purchases.

[manna]

Blockbusters will fine you for late return of DVDs and videos, and car rental companies do the same for late-returned cars.

[kelly_holden]

Yes, but in those cases it's a charge for extra use.

[halimede]

Not quite, in my experience there's usually a different amount charged for extending the loan/lease period and for bringing things back late. There is a punitive aspect to it.