WARNING TO FREE REPUBLIC: Anonymous Libels on Internet Can Be Actionable

News/Current Events Announcement Keywords: LIBEL, FREEREPUBLIC

Source: NewsMax.com
Published: July 16, 2000 Author: NewsMax.com
Posted on 07/16/2000 04:29:45 PDT by Jackpeace

Here is a heads-up to all at FreeRepublic. A number of folks on this web site, as elsewhere, feel safe falsely defaming others here, thinking that their anonymity protects them from legal action.

Think again.

The below story excerpt, found at NewsMax.com, makes it clear that the veil of anonymity can be pierced by a subpoena. Everytime someone here falsely defames someone, he/she subjects Jim Robinson and FreeRepublic to the possibility of being subpoenaed for the name and location of the alleged defamer in order that the defamer might be sued and sued successfully.

This is yet another reason why FR's "no personal attacks rule," honored in its breach, should be enforced aggressively by Jim Robinson. The rule is there to protect the defamers at FR from themselves, and to protect FR from the consequences of abuse of the First Amendment.

By the way, the First Amendment does not protect libel.

PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY. The defamers here know who they are, and so do the ongoing victims:

"In the latest round of lawsuits, Yahoo is being asked by two companies to reveal the identities of a group of Web-surfers who have posted misleading or defamatory messages on Yahoo's financial sites. Informix and Credit Suisse First Boston are the latest in a series of companies to file lawsuits against financial board posters."

"A confidentiality breach is at the heart of Informix's lawsuit, which was filed in a California court last month. Credit Suisse First Boston, which filed a suit Tuesday in federal court, is suing a group of message board posters for $1 million, on grounds that they allegedly defamed and libeled the firm."

"Yahoo gives its users a 15-day notice before turning over personal information under subpoena. In the past the company has made no real effort to notify users before releasing their identities. When asked by The Industry Standard to comment on the lawsuits, Yahoo's spokewoman stated, 'Yahoo does not comment on lawsuits or subpoenas.'"

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