Jury awards $11.3M over defamatory Internet posts

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by skip, Oct 10, 2006.

  1. skip

    skip Founder Administrator

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    This is a warning to everyone on the Hip Forums that this is now how the law works! You're just looking for trouble if you defame people over the internet. Present company included.

    Jury awards $11.3M over defamatory Internet posts
    Posted 10/10/2006 10:07 PM ET
    By Laura Parker, USA TODAY
    A Florida woman has been awarded $11.3 million in a defamation lawsuit against a Louisiana woman who posted messages on the Internet accusing her of being a "crook," a "con artist" and a "fraud."

    Legal analysts say the Sept. 19 award by a jury in Broward County, Fla. — first reported Friday by the Daily Business Review — represents the largest such judgment over postings on an Internet blog or message board. Lyrissa Lidsky, a University of Florida law professor who specializes in free-speech issues, calls the award "astonishing."

    Lidsky says the case could represent a coming trend in court fights over online messages because the woman who won the damage award, Sue Scheff of Weston, Fla., pursued the case even though she knew the defendant, Carey Bock of Mandeville, La., has no hope of paying such an award. Bock, who had to leave her home for several months because of Hurricane Katrina, couldn't afford an attorney and didn't show up for the trial.

    "What's interesting about this case is that (Scheff) was so vested in being vindicated, she was willing to pay court costs," Lidsky says. "They knew before trial that the defendant couldn't pay, so what's the point in going to the jury?"

    Scheff says she wanted to make a point to those who unfairly criticize others on the Internet. "I'm sure (Bock) doesn't have $1 million, let alone $11 million, but the message is strong and clear," Scheff says. "People are using the Internet to destroy people they don't like, and you can't do that."
     
    skip, Oct 10, 2006
    #1
  3. woodsman

    woodsman Senior Member

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    I guess that's how it goes. The courts are not halls of justice anymore, just money machines for anyone who wants to file a lawsuit regardless of how ridiculous the claim is.
     
    woodsman, Oct 23, 2006
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  5. Professor Jumbo

    Professor Jumbo Mr. Smarty Pants

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    What a douche. In my opinion, Sue Scheff of Weston, Fla is a crook, a con-artist, and a fraud.[​IMG]
     
    Professor Jumbo, Oct 24, 2006
    #3
  7. Flight From Ashiya

    Flight From Ashiya Senior Member

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    Seconded!.



    *sigh* maybe the 'golden days' of internet free-speech are coming to an end.
     
    Flight From Ashiya, Oct 24, 2006
    #4
  9. clementinexo

    clementinexo hip *****s sucks.

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    people fuck sue over anything nowadays. its a joke and they should all be kicked very hard in the shin.
     
    clementinexo, Oct 24, 2006
    #5
  11. Professor Jumbo

    Professor Jumbo Mr. Smarty Pants

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    Nah, I say punch 'em in the butt. "Why?" you ask. Because punching somebody in the butt presents a much funnier mental picture than kicking somebody in the shin.
     
    Professor Jumbo, Oct 25, 2006
    #6
  13. clementinexo

    clementinexo hip *****s sucks.

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    punch her in the box.
    thats pretty funny.
     
    clementinexo, Oct 26, 2006
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  15. vodoo chile

    vodoo chile Member

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    freedom of speech but also i think that you shouldnt talk shit about other people.at least not on the internet what a way to tyalk about people?
     
    vodoo chile, Nov 1, 2006
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  17. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    well... if the defendant showed up for court, ti may have worked out a little differently

    if I was in that type of situation, I'd be pushing that shit over to the Supreme Court
     
    Duck, Nov 1, 2006
    #9
  19. USA in decline

    USA in decline Member

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    THE LAW IS TO PROTECT CORRUPT POLITICIANS .
     
    USA in decline, Nov 1, 2006
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  21. USA in decline

    USA in decline Member

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    To Bad They Would Never Get 11 Millions From Me.
     
    USA in decline, Nov 1, 2006
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  23. USA in decline

    USA in decline Member

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    And The Jurors In Florida Are Idiots = Nothing New.
     
    USA in decline, Nov 1, 2006
    #12
  25. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    agreed

    all of the weirdest shit happens in florida, especially legally
     
    Duck, Nov 1, 2006
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  27. USA in decline

    USA in decline Member

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    And dont blame the cubans or latins in general this time broward is still mainly whites of = if it was nothern hollywood or fort lauderdale well off whites and jews.
     
    USA in decline, Nov 1, 2006
    #14
  29. USA in decline

    USA in decline Member

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    This are the same Nazis who ran the kids out = Fort Lauderdale Spring Break .
     
    USA in decline, Nov 1, 2006
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  31. dances in pajamas

    dances in pajamas strange little girl

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    That's bullshit. The Internet is open, free and you can say nearly anything. So someone calls you names on the web... get over it. This a completely idiotic lawsuit. I don't see why people have to go about calling others names on the Internet in an attempt to be hurtful... It's just pathetic. Our judicial system is pointless.
     
    dances in pajamas, Nov 2, 2006
    #16

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