Judge Throws Out ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ Defamation Case

[everythingsxen]

BOSTON -- A federal judge threw out an Iraq war veteran's lawsuit Wednesday that claimed filmmaker Michael Moore used a clip from a television interview without the veteran's permission to falsely portray him as anti-war in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Sgt. Peter Damon, a National Guardsman, was seeking $85 million, claiming "loss of reputation, emotional distress, embarrassment, and personal humiliation" due to his appearance in Moore's 2004 documentary criticizing the Bush administration and the war in Iraq.

Damon, 34, who lost his arms when a tire on a Black Hawk helicopter exploded while he and another reservist were servicing the aircraft, claimed Moore never asked for his consent to use a clip from his interview with NBC's "Nightly News."


But a lawyer for Moore argued in court Wednesday that the film did not attribute any political viewpoint to Damon and did not defame him.

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[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I remember a lengthy discussion here on DU about this case

Glad to hear it was thrown out.

[SemperEadem]

2. aside from the fact

The clip was provided by NBC--Moore didn't need the guy's consent to use the clip because it had already aired and consent to air it had already been granted. Damon can't tell NBC who can or can't use their own videotape, especially if the guy signed a waiver for his likeness to be used. He should read the fine print before grasping for his 15 minutes of fame.

[Little Wing]

3. He should sue Bush for his arms back

He'd have a better case