Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi all
I'm doing an article (coursework piece) about libel on the internet, and if people who post libellous comments are worried about being sued or getting into bother. I was hoping to get peoples opinions on this. I felt that this community is full of useful people. I only need a few, but the more the merrier. I helps the cause if you run an outside blog/contribute, and understand what libel is. If you want to present your views, please could you PM me/post on this thread, answering the following questions (your comments will likely be published, but only as a coursework piece. IF published elsewhere, I would ask permission again ):

Name/age/Location: (important formal stuff, just the country would do if you don't want to be specific)

1)Have you ever posted anything that could be seen as libelous?

2)Were/are you particularly worried about getting into trouble with comments you make of other people/companies?

3)Have you ever experienced/known of threats of a lawsuit/Cease and Desists/removal of content?

4)Do you think the internet (as a collective body) is bothered about libel? If not, why?

Many Thanks, I will appreciate all contructive views.

My name, age and (even general) location is enough to pinpoint who I am and where I live so I would be ill advised to give that out. So, Mr. Smith, age 69, Earth

1) Probably not. I usually don't attack people personally, spread rumors about personal facts or the like.

2) Yes because Facebook is incredibly insecure with poster information. A company looking through it may use info from there to decide whether or not to hire me.

3) Beasts of War and various "abridgers" have been removed from youtube. Usually it's contested on an IP basis, but most likely the root causes for such removal is potential for defamation. Abridged series on youtube are riff on a series often making fun of plot or production on the series in a way that could "damage the IP" in the company's eyes. Thus IP infringement is cited and the series is pulled until someone points out the parody clause. Beasts of War operated under the allowance for critique. GW doesn't like to be critiqued. It's one of the 10 commandments when you work there, always talk about the positives and steer the conversation towards the positives.

4) In general, no. The internet gives a false sense of anonymity and security. The group anonymous pulls a blanket over itself to hide and bites at any hand the tries to pull it off. They have had "members" exposed several times despite their bravado. If you post something that makes someone mad enough, they will come after you and they have the means to do it.

Thanks for the reply.

The request for basic info was purely on a professional basis (a factor of what we can get marked on) and prevents libel within my own article, since I could be referring to any internet goer (ironic, right?). I could refer to you as someone who 'preferred to remain anonymous' , or are you OK with me using your username as a to refer to you if need be? In terms of Location, I could make do with the country, apologies if I seemed vague.

However, your points will be useful. Many thanks.

TheChaoticJournalist wrote:Name/age/Location: (important formal stuff, just the country would do if you don't want to be specific)

biccat / old / US

TheChaoticJournalist wrote:1)Have you ever posted anything that could be seen as libelous?

Probably.

TheChaoticJournalist wrote:2)Were/are you particularly worried about getting into trouble with comments you make of other people/companies?

Nope.

TheChaoticJournalist wrote:3)Have you ever experienced/known of threats of a lawsuit/Cease and Desists/removal of content?

Sent C&D letters. They're fun.

TheChaoticJournalist wrote:4)Do you think the internet (as a collective body) is bothered about libel? If not, why?

No. Most people think they're anonymous on the internet, even when they're not. And most people think that the right to free speech means you can say whatever you want online with no consequences. People just seem to disconnect their brains when they post on the internet.