Watch what you say in (these) forums

[Supreme2k]

Couple sues over message board posts

WTF???

[Number Six]

Unfortunately, in today's world, nothing is private - especially anything on the internet.

[thecoalman]

You can't go making false accusations and comments about people anywhere else so why should you expect privacy if you're posting libelous and slanderous comments on a public forum?

Most site owners will not willingly hand that information over but if there is court order they really have no choice.

[SquirrelDip]

Can I still call someone a Rooster Vacuum when it's warranted?

[Supreme2k]

You can't go making false accusations and comments about people anywhere else so why should you expect privacy if you're posting libelous and slanderous comments on a public forum?

It's not exactly "false accusations" when it's just banter on a forum. I've been involved in a case where chat messages were part of the evidence, an (layman's terms) "talking shit' is pretty well protected as opinion. Plus, you have a basis for the opinions. If law enforcement and the rest of the legal system sa thm as criminal, why should people having simple (un)friendly conversation be held to a higher standard? Can these (accused) people get compensation from the courts or their accusers when they are acquitted? No. And I think that is where the problem lies. It is mostly sour grapes that they had to pay court costs, and they need to recoup that somehow. Hell, OJ could be a billionaire if that were the case.
Part of the definition of Libelous is "unjustly". If you just come out of nowhere and accuse someone of something, that's "unjust". These people were in a court case where there was some evidence against them. It's not unjust to base your opinion on that. Also, why didn't they file this case before the verdict. It would have still been libel (in their minds), since there's "innocent until proven guilty".

I can also post "libelous and slanderous comments" in a forum meant for like-minded people without fear of retaliation from "outsiders". Were I to go on TV or some other more public forum and make some (possibly) false declarations, then that's something else entirely. Even then, there's the matter of just how much weight my statements carry. It's one thing for CNN to report that you're a child molester, but next to nothing if coalman or suprem2k posts it on a message board.
Ever been to a bar and shoot th shit with friends? How about one of those "friends" runs back to a girl whom you've just described as having "a vagina you can dive a train through", and she wants to sue you for that?


Basically, it amounts to SO ******* WHAT someone posted about you on a message board. Are you really worried about a client/employer using Google as a background check and denying you a job based on what kidFunK227 posted about you?

coalman, you talk as much shit about anyone here as the next guy, but I bet you've never even gotten the least bit of trouble for it (not counting *oh my god* yellow cards). You sure you want that to change?

It's not a huge leap to compare this libel crap to someone taking bad advice from someone else on these boards, screwing up their work, then seeking compensation from VH or Baldrick.

[thecoalman]

I haven't read the forum comments and the content of them would be the determining factor. If I say say Joe is moron in a public forum then I'm protected however if I say "Joe is moron because he stole merchandise and got caught" then it's whole other ballgame if Joe never stole anything. You'll notice it's always "allegedly" in the newspaper or "according to court documents". You really have to be careful for what you say.

I had a poster on my own forum that was a little bit angry at a supplier and made some statements that could be deemed defamatory and unjust, once pointed out that his posts were not anonymous he kindly requested the post be removed. "Anonymity" on the internet certainly has it good points but don't expect it to protect you from such lawsuits because its not going to happen. I think rightfully so too, people should be responsible for what they post at least to the extent when they are making comments about someone else. Opinions are one thing but they are just opinions, making statements about someone that are stated as fact and not true is completely different.

Whether the lawsuit is right or wrong really depends on what the comments were.

coalman, you talk as much shit about anyone here as the next guy, but I bet you've never even gotten the least bit of trouble for it (not counting *oh my god* yellow cards). You sure you want that to change?

What is this yellow card you speak of? Never got one. I don't think anything is going to change over a lawsuit like this. If the comments that were made can't stand up to the test on any other medium they shouldn't be somehow protected just because they were made on the internet..

[Supreme2k]

Like I've always said, no one (legally) gives a shit what coalman, Supreme2k, joedice or Vanhalen4ever says on a message board. The scope and the weight of the statements are what really matter.


Who really gives a **** about "accountability"? It's a stupid message board, for Christ's sake! Are you going to determine the difference between an opinion and "stated as fact"?

I agree that nothing will come of this, as there are too many defendants, and they are too well protected. I've been on both ends of these types of cases, and it comes down to the fact that forums are not big enough or reputable enough to warrant serious consideration. It's akin to holding the Star or the Onion up to journalistic integrity.

People need to grow thicker skins, or else stop looking for insults and unfriendly environments. I live on the West Coast, and i hear that they don't like white people in Harlem. I will never go there specifically to see if that's true.

If the comments that were made can't stand up to the test on any other medium they shouldn't be somehow protected just because they were made on the internet..

Different situations call for different rules. If I came up to you and shot you dead, that would be murder (or at the very least, manslaughter). Same thing during war, you're a casualty. If CNN posts inflammatory (untrue) headlines on the web, that is actionable, since the many people who see it may take it seriously. If some guy on a Heavy Metal board posts that Keanu Reeves is gay, do you think Keanu will lose any work from it?

If you want people to be accountable for what they post on a message board, they should only be allowed to use their real names and locations. There should be no such thing as nicknames or avatars, just real names and actual photos.

[thecoalman]

Are you going to determine the difference between an opinion and "stated as fact"?

Certainly I can make that assessment and if I feel the statement is false and defamatory I can seek damages in a court like these people have. Again I haven't read the statements but apparently they felt they were unjust enough to warrant a suit, the court will decide whether they are right or wrong. If the court finds in favor of the defendants then I'd imagine this couple is going to be facing litigation themselves, I know if I was dragged through a court for nothing it wouldn't be the end of it.

People need to grow thicker skins, or else stop looking for insults and unfriendly environments.

Agree but I believe we're getting into politics now? I don't want to ruin my perfect record... oh wait I did get yellow card once. I think offline issued me one when I mentioned I never got one before in a previous thread.

We live in a society where everyone runs to the lawyer as soon as they smell money whether warranted or not. Unfortunate but true.