oomis1105-
PM-
It would be a real shame if either of you came away from this discussion having taken offense.
A “private psak” can sometimes be issued for a specific case, and not as a blanket statement for public consumption in all circumstances. I have asked shailos to (among others) Rav Feivel Cohen, Rav Belsky, and Rav Scheinberg. In cases where I thought it might be useful to pass their answers on to others, I always asked if I could repeat what they had said in their names. In at least one case it was something that was not for repetition and attribution, because “technically it’s allowed, but you shouldn’t”.
Lehavdil, civil law also has instances where the court specifically states that its ruling is not to set precedent, but is only for this narrow set of circumstances.