Lawsuit targets anonymous online comments

[Kat]

I agree that we have freedom of speech to protect. However, when that freedom of speech or expression infringes on the rights of private citizens I have to draw the line.

I think that this case has to be approached carefully, because censorship is dangerous when it is used by the government or the media. In that, we as citizens recieve censored information and certain information is withheld from us.

I see this as totally different from Constitutional and human rights. When I read the lawsuit I saw comments made that were personal in nature. So it wasn't the sharing of information that these posters were doing but rather hiding behind the anonymity of a screenname to take for lack of a better word...potshots...at these people.

WS is the only board that I belong to because it is so heavily moderated. I don't have to swim through pages and pages of posts like the one outlined in that lawsuit in order to find posts that are informative and not only that, but interesting and thoughtful.

Just my opinion FWIW.

 

[6angels]

I can only hope this gets thrown out of court:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/020809dnmetlawsuit.2bd48105.html

Why? why do you hope it gets thrown out?

 

[impatientredhead]

I only read a portion of the pdf provided, but the comments seem ridiculous to me. How do they plan to show damages? Their business dropping off is just as likely to be from the number of people that read about the charges from legitimate news sources. Do they have people willing to testify that they are not using their services because they read and believe the wife services donkeys because it was written on Topix?

The state said they had a case against them and lost. If they were unjustly charged and falsely prosecuted they should go after the state (not likely I know) but in today's day and age if you are charged with something and the allegations against you are put out for public comment you will unfortunately be met with public comment. And a lot of the public is made up of idiots. Ask anyone who operates in the public eye. MOO

 

[elfie]

WS is on of the few boards online today where reasonable discussions on any number of subjects have a fair shot. I appreciate the the amount of work that goes into the whole process.

I scrolled through the pdf (thanks for the link, I think) and wasn't that surprised to see the number of idiotic comments from a forum that is not well moderated. The issue of hiding behind anonymity is at the crux of the case, I agree with Kat.

TG for Websleuths!!

 

[Angels_Not_Forgotten]

lol silly people, NOTHING is anonymous.

 

[Kat]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=8239410

Anonymous Posters Named in Defamation Suit
Internet Service Provider Cooperated to Provide Information Leading to Suspected Identity of Topix Commenters

Aug. 3, 2009

...Information disclosed by Topix, including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, or the unique number assigned to each computer, led the couple to a business owned by the husband of a woman who last year accused the couple of sexual assault...

... The amended petition names Shannon Coyel, the couple's accuser, her husband Gerald Coyel and his brother James Coyel.

It also includes the business Apache Truck & Van Parts in Kennedale, Texas, and two of its employees, Charlie and Pat Doescher. The Leshers allege the computers tied to the IP addresses were used by the Doeschers...

...(the couple who brought forth this lawsuit) were accused of sexual assault by a woman in their small northeast Texas community.

Before the three were indicted on the charges, a steady stream of attacks on the Web forum Topix.com started to flow.

In January, a jury found the couple and their ranch hand not guilty on all charges.

Just an update for those that were wanting to follow this case.

 

[yosande]

If the case is not thrown out, what will happen if the information is made public? This is scary.

ITA, and it makes me ascreered to post, but I suppose that is the whole point.

, oh, :cow::gavel:

 

[Trino]

This is already a thread under "Be Careful What You Say, Ruling Against Online Heckler." Moderator, please check this out.

 

[Kat]

Trino I was under the impression these were two different cases.