Online defamation?

FullblownRose

Hi all!,

I've posted this in Legal forum too but I don't know if that is very active.


I hesitate to call this cyber-bullying considering that I'm a grown adult, but I've become aware that a certain amount of slander has been spread about me online, on a particular site, and it was initiated by one person for reasons unclear. I have some proof, though not a lot, but I'm wondering, in principle, how much can be done about this kind of thing? I just feel that it is too easy to badmouth and lie about people on the internet without fear of repercussions.

I also have a bit of proof to show that the person responsible has possibly spoken libellously about at least one other person. (I shouldn't state that they did act in a way that could be called Libel, , because I'm not a legal professional- but they certainly seem to have typed potentially damaging things about the person, on the internet)

I'd be really interested to know if anyone else had experienced anything negative like this online, and whether you took any kind of action at all about it?- be it legal action or some other kind of response to it?

Birneybau

Ah, you're that Full Blown Rose.

Yikes.

El Weirdo

You need this girl's Dad.

FloatingVoter

This appears to be a serious query so first of all I'd avoid After Hours.

FullblownRose

Birneybau wrote: »

Ah, you're that Full Blown Rose.

Yikes.

I swear..none of it's true

Birneybau

FullblownRose wrote: »

I swear..none of it's true

Pity...

FullblownRose

FloatingVoter wrote: »

This appears to be a serious query so first of all I'd avoid After Hours.

You never know...there's the odd diamond in the rough...

Tail Docker

So you're not a thief?

Dubwat

Are they using your real name or your anonymous internet name, FullBlownRose, to defame you?

Glock Lesnar

What are you? a thief? a bumder?

FullblownRose

Dubwat wrote: »

Are they using your real name or your anonymous internet name, FullBlownRose, to defame you?

My real name..I don't use a screen name there.

I am pie

Shouldnt you be contacting the sight, explaining you feel you have been defamed and that you want the content remove. Unless I am wrong that needs to be your first action.

FullblownRose

I am pie wrote: »

Shouldnt you be contacting the sight, explaining you feel you have been defamed and that you want the content remove. Unless I am wrong that needs to be your first action.

Yes, that might be an option. Some of this was sent via private message.

FloatingVoter

FullblownRose wrote: »

My real name..I don't use a screen name there.

Yes, always use your real name online. It is a well known fact that I'm Napoleon Bonaparte but I don't tell people online about it. Identity theft and all of that. Some people online are not who or what they appear to be. I have encountered incidences of people telling lies on the internet.

Glock Lesnar

FullblownRose wrote: »

Yes, that might be an option. Some of this was sent via private message.

Make an effort to have yourself bullied in real life to provide some perspective on the relative harm of 'cyber bullying'

FullblownRose

Glock Lesnar wrote: »

Make an effort to have yourself bullied in real life to provide some perspective on the relative harm of 'cyber bullying'

Ok. What should I do? Where do bullies hang out?

I am pie

I did a quick google and it seemed the high profile cases were individual vs site / ISP etc.

What outcome do you want here? Content which "defames" you removed from public view or are you looking to punish someone, possibly financially?

If your prime interest is removing the offending content you need to go via the site in question, if your have other motivations it becomes more complicated and a more serious matter which would require some extremely offensive content, possible threatening, to have been sent your way.

This is a laymans opinion.

Minjor

Can you give us the name of the site OP?

As has been said already, contacting the site should be the first port of call.

Karl Stein

Have you considered cocooning yourself in duct tape?

myshirt

Fullblownrose - in short, you'd want deep pockets and some very good lawyers.

Jurisdiction is a significant issue, as is the burden of proof.

The law has yet to catch up with the internet so there is limited precedent; and very limited binding precedent.

Additionally, defamation law is no place for good money after bad.

Callan Tansey were involved with something that might assist you, read up on it http://www.callantansey.ie/articles.php?id=49

Other than that, you are talking very serious money to pursue what you want to pursue.

FullblownRose

I am pie wrote: »

I did a quick google and it seemed the high profile cases were individual vs site / ISP etc.

What outcome do you want here? Content which "defames" you removed from public view or are you looking to punish someone, possibly financially?

If your prime interest is removing the offending content you need to go via the site in question, if your have other motivations it becomes more complicated and a more serious matter which would require some extremely offensive content, possible threatening, to have been sent your way.

This is a laymans opinion.

I suppose I was initially pleased to finally have some evidence because it seems like something that can be hard to tackle, due to the sly nature of it. Like any kind of gossip.

Based on what I know has been written so far it's not worth pursuing in a serious way, i.e in the courts, considering I only have so much proof. I think the fact that the individual has been 'found out' will be a bit of a deterrant, which is great

I'll see if it develops, if any more comes to light, and if the other person who was also 'typed about' feels that they want to do anything about it...

FullblownRose

Minjor wrote: »

Can you give us the name of the site OP?

As has been said already, contacting the site should be the first port of call.

Facebook.

That'll be my only port of call, I think..I would be happy if they could do something, but beyond that I don't feel the need to make any more out of it (unless even more comes to light)

FullblownRose

Karl Stein wrote: »

Have you considered cocooning yourself in duct tape?

No! Maybe lagging jacket for a hot water tank?

Mint Aero

Has your business suffered as a result? Sue ta f*ck
Are you suffering emotional distress? Sue ta f*ck
Are you just ever so annoyed but there isn't any real consequence? Then bate up the perps

Minty dispersing advice since 1902.

FullblownRose

Mint Aero wrote: »

Has your business suffered as a result? Sue ta f*ck
Are you suffering emotional distress? Sue ta f*ck
Are you just ever so annoyed but there isn't any real consequence? Then bate up the perps

Minty dispersing advice since 1902.

A bit of answer , in the past. Without comparing these things to serious bullying or anything!

Specialun

I would be very very surprised if they dont spend life in jail once prosecuted

FullblownRose

Specialun wrote: »

I would be very very surprised if they dont spend life in jail once prosecuted

I think myself that they should bring back hanging for this kind of thing.

Frank Lee Midere

Online slander isn't the same as offline libel or a person bullying you in the pub.

If the pub bully says " I'd say you are a corrupt businessman" to your face you don't have much recourse. If he spreads that libel you have some. Slander is easier. Facebook is publishing. People think it's like a private conversation. It isn't. You could win a case.

Ruu

Please don't post just because of the large audience here. Thanks.