More companies SLAPPing people for speaking out online

[Joanne98]

An increasing number of companies have trotted out an old tactic to deal with people who blast them online--the SLAPP suit.

The label has traditionally referred to meritless defamation suits filed by businesses or government officials against citizens who speak out against them. The plaintiffs are not necessarily expecting to succeed — most do not — but rather to intimidate critics who are inclined to back down when confronted with the prospect of a long, expensive court battle.

In response, Steve Cohen and Charlie Gonzalez have drafted a federal anti-SLAPP law. The law, the Citizen Participation Act, would allow anyone who believes he's the victim of a SLAPP to have the case thrown out and make the plaintiff pay his legal fees. The latter part is critical--one First Amendment lawyer says the legal expenses of defending a SLAPP can wipe out the average person. It would also extend anti-SLAPP protection to the 23 states who don't have an anti-SLAPP law on the books.

Christian Dem in NC's diary :: ::
A textbook example of the new kind of SLAPP is underway now in Michigan. Justin Kurtz, a student at Western Michigan University, had his car towed and created a Facebook group criticizing the towing company. The company sued, claiming the page was hurting its business and damaging its reputation. Never mind that the company has an unsatisfactory rating with the local Better Business Bureau--which is by itself a kiss of death.

This new law might do something to combat a new twist on stifling online complaints--using copyright law.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/5/31/871593/-More-companies-SLAPPing-people-for-speaking-out-online

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Joanne.

[missbleedingheart]

2. SLAPP The Wankers

To dodge possible SLAPP lawsuits, criticize politicians and wall street crooks with SATIRE, a protected form of speech:

Reagan, Bush One and Bush Two
Didn’t think their plan all the way through.
When they favored the rich,
There was one little hitch:
The middle-class workers still knew
That their labor did matter,
Though unions were battered
And jobs had been sent overseas,
Though real-estate bankers and young
Wall Street wankers replaced high ideals with pure greed... (read more at www.missbleedingheart.com

Thanks for the SLAPP post. Very helpful.

[marmar]

3. Don't Turn Around......Der Kommissar's In Town

Corporate Totalitarianism.....It's not just a movie.

[mzmolly]

4. Citizen Participation Act?

Love it!

[xocet]

5. Hmmm....

The case against Justin Kurtz is unfortunate; however, through it, I think I have found the Internet Anglo-Saxon Jesus (and he looks disturbed):

I. The Case

II. The Facebook Page

III. The Internet Anglo-Saxon Jesus on Internet Suicide