Chatroom subscriber successfully sues another for libel
23 March 2006, 11:54 AM
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Chatroom subscriber successfully sues another for libel
Might be of interest to NSR 
"A political argument that erupted in a remote corner of cyberspace and descended into vicious name-calling could lead to a spate of libel actions by contributors to internet message boards, the man at the centre of the case claimed yesterday.
The dark side of the blogosphere was revealed by a libel action brought by Michael Keith-Smith, a former Conservative party member who stood for Ukip in Portsmouth North at the last election. He said he was moved to sue after a woman with whom he was debating the merits of military action in Iraq began a campaign of name-calling that started by describing him as "lard brain" and culminated in falsely labelling him a "****", a "racist bigot" and a "nonce".
Tracy Williams, a college lecturer from Oldham, was ordered by a high court judge to pay £10,000 in damages, as well as Mr Keith-Smith's £7,200 costs, and told never to repeat the allegations."
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/new...737444,00.html
"A political argument that erupted in a remote corner of cyberspace and descended into vicious name-calling could lead to a spate of libel actions by contributors to internet message boards, the man at the centre of the case claimed yesterday.
The dark side of the blogosphere was revealed by a libel action brought by Michael Keith-Smith, a former Conservative party member who stood for Ukip in Portsmouth North at the last election. He said he was moved to sue after a woman with whom he was debating the merits of military action in Iraq began a campaign of name-calling that started by describing him as "lard brain" and culminated in falsely labelling him a "****", a "racist bigot" and a "nonce".
Tracy Williams, a college lecturer from Oldham, was ordered by a high court judge to pay £10,000 in damages, as well as Mr Keith-Smith's £7,200 costs, and told never to repeat the allegations."
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/new...737444,00.html
23 March 2006, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Alas
They should have looked at some of the threads on here
Just move along, nothing to see you lard brain!
23 March 2006, 12:19 PM
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But isn't that a chat room? Most of those are inhabited by pervs and loonies in real time, whereas this is bulletin board. Surely, the same doesn't apply here?
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23 March 2006, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Flatcapdriver
But isn't that a chat room? Most of those are inhabited by pervs and loonies in real time, whereas this is bulletin board. Surely, the same doesn't apply here?
23 March 2006, 12:21 PM
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Some may argue that the fact it's a real time chatroom, the comments aren't recorded, whereas on a BBS they're all stored in a database and potentially immortalized by search engines, so posting on a BBS may be even worse!
23 March 2006, 12:26 PM
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Exactly, I run a chat server - which DOES log, but thats because I wrote an addon module. Most do not be default. With a chatroom you also only have an IP - no email etc like you get with a forum.
As you say, being archived by search engines also means the libel carries more weight as it will remain for others to read.
As you say, being archived by search engines also means the libel carries more weight as it will remain for others to read.
23 March 2006, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Flatcapdriver
But isn't that a chat room? Most of those are inhabited by pervs and loonies in real time, whereas this is bulletin board. Surely, the same doesn't apply here?
23 March 2006, 12:43 PM
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Note that he was a political candidate. I'm guessing that the whole point was a) everyone knew who he was (real name login or circumstances pointed to it), and b) he stood to have a massively damaged reputation and thus lose votes. So there was a point in suing. Most people on SN use aliases, so even if you insulted them, they never really risked damages to their reputation and perhaps therefore livelihood.
Moral - don't insult people who use their real names
Moral - don't insult people who use their real names
23 March 2006, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
Note that he was a political candidate. I'm guessing that the whole point was a) everyone knew who he was (real name login or circumstances pointed to it), and b) he stood to have a massively damaged reputation and thus lose votes. So there was a point in suing. Most people on SN use aliases, so even if you insulted them, they never really risked damages to their reputation and perhaps therefore livelihood.
Moral - don't insult people who use their real names
Moral - don't insult people who use their real names
23 March 2006, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bigsinky
ohh ho a regular sheep ******* ****, dont get many of then about. do you get the sheep to shave their faces for a bit of tongue action?
I heard he prefers them to sit on his face and bleat dirty to him
23 March 2006, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by NotoriousREV
You're all a bunch of cross-dressing **** goat ********
I might be a cross dressing **** goat *******, but I'm not an...........erm, what was the other thing.......Oh, that was it. 
My bad!
I'm not sure how any comments posted on a forum directed at a "username" can be libelous, as surely a prerequsite for libel is that a person who's identity is disclosed has something said about them that could lower them in the estimation of right thinking members of society.
1) If you only post under a username, it's difficult for any comments to be attached with your identity, so they can do you no real harm.
2) Who said anyone who posts on an internet forum is a right thinking member of society!!!!
Ns04
23 March 2006, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by New_scooby_04
1) If you only post under a username, it's difficult for any comments to be attached with your identity, so they can do you no real harm.
I use my real name and was called "a PSLewis wannabe" by Paul Habgood.My workmates saw the insult and have made my life hell.I'm on the verge of leaving my job because of it.My girlfreind has already dumped me.
How much could i get.
23 March 2006, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by paulr
Any lawyers on here?
I use my real name and was called "a PSLewis wannabe" by Paul Habgood.My workmates saw the insult and have made my life hell.I'm on the verge of leaving my job because of it.My girlfreind has already dumped me.
How much could i get.
I use my real name and was called "a PSLewis wannabe" by Paul Habgood.My workmates saw the insult and have made my life hell.I'm on the verge of leaving my job because of it.My girlfreind has already dumped me.
How much could i get.
You forgot to mention your bad experience with Ebay and another SN member and i believe i have referred to you as Lewis's Biatch as well you lard brain
Seriously though if i h ave offended you or in any way caused you hardship or problems with your girlfriend/boyfriend or work or any other situation then all i can really do is say that it just makes my time on SN more rewarding and fulfilling and i thank you.
Last edited by The Zohan; 23 March 2006 at 01:40 PM.
23 March 2006, 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by paulr
Keep em coming,thats another 1K.
In for a penny.........
Would you like to buy some pictures of your girlfriend playing hide the sausage with rags the Alsatian then?
I'll send you the ebay link
23 March 2006, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul Habgood
all i can really do is say that it just makes my time on SN more rewarding and fulfilling and i thank you.
Hey Paul - when you told us about Dubai you never mentioned your moderation of www.CamelFancier.xxx . Did you put it on your CV?
23 March 2006, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
LOL!
Hey Paul - when you told us about Dubai you never mentioned your moderation of www.CamelFancier.xxx . Did you put it on your CV?
Hey Paul - when you told us about Dubai you never mentioned your moderation of www.CamelFancier.xxx . Did you put it on your CV?
I can only hope to get a place on that reverred moderating team and my time on SN should stand me in good stead.
