Posted by Linda_in_MI on 10/11/06 7:42am
Msg #151677

OT(sorta) Sticks and stones

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."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-10-internet-defamation-case_x.htm

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/11/06 8:20am
Msg #151686

Re: OT(sorta) Sticks and stones. Counterpoint

The other side in sorta related news:

http://www.isucceed.com/DOJ-Lawsuit-against-NAR-Moves-Ahead/real-estate-news/55414/

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/11/06 8:22am
Msg #151687

Re: OT(sorta) Sticks and stones. Also

When a party to a lawsuit doesn't show up in court, the other side automatically wins. Doesn't make it right. It's just what happens.