About IP Addresses in the US

[Cyrus221]

A friend and I are having an argument over whether or not obtaining somebody elses IP address is illegal or not in the US. For example, if he were to direct connect to me on AIM, then I were to get his IP address through netstat or whatnot, I thought it to be illegal. Ive been using this website for years, never got around to registering on the forums until.. well today. So, I'll let the more informed tell me whats up! Thanks

[Moonbat]

Lol, it's not illegal. Obtaining an IP address is like getting a street address. It's not illegal to get a street address, is it?:p

[Cyrus221]

Lol, it's not illegal. Obtaining an IP address is like getting a street address. It's not illegal to get a street address, is it?:p

LoL very true.. I just remember someone telling me its like wiretapping and you need some sort of special privilege. Mehhh I lost ><

[TomF]

Also, an IP address is usually included in the header of every outgoing e-mail. I doubt companies like Yahoo!, Hotmail, etc. would present IP addresses if the practice were illegal.