Two Recent Lawsuits Over Online Postings in the News

Post by **Richard S.** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 12:03 am

http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-ne ... r-Bullying

Cyber-bullying has reached a new low—at the highest levels of the professional world. So when anonymous attackers went after two Yale law students, they struck back and filed suit. their case may help change the rules.

And.........

**Broken Link(s) Removed** FORT WORTH — Hundreds of people who posted their opinions of a sexual assault trial in an online forum are now the targets of a lawsuit.

The authors of those comments on a Web site thought they were anonymous, but this week, a judge ruled their names should be revealed.

Mark and Rhonda Lesher lived quietly in northeast Texas; Mark practiced law, Rhonda ran a beauty salon.

Then, last year, a woman accused the couple — along with another man — of sexually assaulting her. That's when the anonymous comments started appearing on Topix.com.

ceccil · Post by **ceccil** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 12:40 am

Very good info. Just goes to show that you should be careful what you write, even if you think it's anonymous!! The courts can get your info.

Jeff

lowfog01 · Post by **lowfog01** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 4:49 am

ceccil wrote:Very good info. Just goes to show that you should be careful what you write, even if you think it's anonymous!! The courts can get your info.

Jeff

I learned along time ago nothing is anonymous. It's in our very nature to tell someone and that's all it takes. Lisa

hugg · Post by **hugg** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 5:46 am

After reading the Obama press conference thread I was wondering. Can u sue someone for being an a$$hole?

Post by **Richard S.** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 6:24 am

hugg wrote:After reading the Obama press conference thread I was wondering. Can u sue someone for being an a$$hole?

If you say someone is a moron, you're protected.

If you say someone is moron because they got caught stealing from the cookie jar you could be liable if they never stole from the cookie jar.

It all comes down to context and what you're posting. It's really nothing new, you can't go spreading lies or false accusations over any other medium so I don't see why one would expect it to be any different on the internet. When you read the newspaper you should note that unless the person has been found guilty they will always use "allegedly" or something like "according to court documents".

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 9:33 am

Defamation and Libel are distinctly two different issues. But they do have one thing in common, in court they are really really expensive to litigate, either for or against. If someone comes calling with one of these heads up. Win lose or draw,
your wallet will be empty.
Opinions are subject to litigation, make no mistake. Careful what you say, but as important, WHERE you say it. Calling
some one a butt head in the kitchen is very different than calling some one a butt head in public.
Of course the easiest way to avoid all the mess is .....be nice! Funny how all the old rules apply in today's new tech world.

AdkCoal · Post by **AdkCoal** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 6:32 pm

It has been said that you guaranteed the right to Privacy but you are not guaranteed the right to Anonymity.

Truer words have never been spoken.

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Wed. Feb. 18, 2009 6:45 pm

All I have to say is *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* and everyone have a nice day

Chris F.

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Feb. 23, 2009 10:34 pm

DVC500_at_last wrote:All I have to say is *censored* *censored* *censored* .......

If that's in reference to the word censor here note that you can turn it off in your control panel.

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009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Mon. Feb. 23, 2009 10:41 pm

Richard S. wrote:
DVC500_at_last wrote:All I have to say is *censored* *censored* *censored* .......
If that's in reference to the word censor here note that you can turn it off in your control panel.

Control panel Board Preferences tab Display options link on the left

Nope, sorry, I was just trying to be funny. Trying to say something without saying anything. Nevermind

Chris F.

KLook · Post by **KLook** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 5:26 pm

Has anyone told Devil we can sue him yet?!!

Hmm, on second thought maybe I better go look at my old posts! I bet that sneaky bastard is going over them right now!

Kevin