Defamation-In-Cyberspace

[bigmack]

I've noticed that this has been an issue a few times on this forum, and I found an interesting article discussing this subject. It would be great if any attorney's in this forum could step up and contribute.
Might help everyone understand what is and is not letigious.

www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/defamation-in-cyberspace.html

Cheers!
-Mack

[Ultimasimon]

Shit

Clive I am really sorry for calling you Homer, and implying that all you ever do is eat doughnuts and drive a car that is totally suitable for said charactor.. I take it all back. Well apart from the fact that you do actually eat loads of doughnuts, and you do drive a car that is totally suitable for homers charactor that is.

L2 pillock however, you can sue my arse

[ultimapaul]

Ultimasimon said:

Shit L2 pillock however, you can sue my arse

Me first, me first!

TO$$ER

bye bye!

[Stig]

I think this poinst is the most relevant and I advise you all to think about it before posting:

"But if you damage someone's reputation by trying to embarrass them in a public forum, you could be sued for libel or defamation."

Not only trying to embarrass them, but also by questioning their professional abilities/products.

However:

"Make it clear when you are stating your opinion," says Donaldson,"Always state the facts that your opinions are based on just to be safe.You probably won't lose a libel or defamation lawsuit if you can back up what you write with solid facts."

But:

"My personal opinion is that you should be able to prove -- beyond a reasonable doubt -- that what you write is true. If you can't prove it, you should do
some more research or ommit the statement. Not only for ethical reasons but also because when your giving information to a large audience you should be
sure what you are writing is true. However, technically you are correct."

I'll get me coat

>> Edited by Stig on Thursday 20th November 10:20

[Boosted LS1]

Interesting that it refers to reputation quite a lot. So a man with old or spent criminal convictions who may now be a very successful and respected businessman can't be libelled as he's not a man of good character in the eyes of the law? Any comments on this?

I reckon you'd have to have very deep pockets to start a libel action and see it through to the end and you could still lose and if you won you might get nothing or a partial settlement. Risky or what.