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Woman Wins Right to Criticize Surgeon on Website

Posted by samzenpus on from the tell-it-like-it-is dept.

Scoopy writes "The website of a cosmetic surgery patient critical of her Sacramento surgeon's work is protected free speech, an appeals court said in an opinion that could have statewide implications. The website contains before and after photographs of 33-year-old Georgette Gilbert, who said the surgery left her with one eyebrow higher than the other and a surprised look permanently affixed to her face. The website was challenged in a defamation suit filed by surgeon Jonathan Sykes, a prominent professor and television commentator on the subject of cosmetic surgery. Although the Sacramento-based 3rd District Court of Appeal only mentions Sykes, the opinion suggests that others who use 'hot topics' of public interest in their advertisements and promotions may shed protections against defamation afforded to ordinary citizens."

7 of 250 comments (clear)

  1. According to courtroom reporters... by CRCulver · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...The woman looked very surprised at the verdict.

    1. Re:According to courtroom reporters... by CortoMaltese · · Score: 3, Funny

      Honestly, she looked fine before the surgery. We could just post the pics to hotornot and see which one comes out as the winner. Cutornot?
    2. Re:According to courtroom reporters... by saboola · · Score: 4, Funny

      That this woman ended up on the short end of the stick still doesn't affect the validity of her tail

      He added a tail too? No wonder she is pissed.

    3. Re:According to courtroom reporters... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      For an extreme example: if a meteorite punches through the roof of a bus, killing the driver instantly, and thereby causing the bus to plunge over an embankment a few seconds later, then who is at fault?

      That's EASY. You clearly don't have much imagination.

      1. NASA, for failing to predict and warn of the meteorite impact.
      2. Congress, for failing to fund meteorite monitoring and prediction services.
      3. The public, for failing to elect a Congress that would fund meteorite prediction services.
      4. The manufacturer of the bus, for failing to include a roof that could withstand a meteorite impact.
      5. Materials scientists, for failing to invent a cheap bus-roof material strong enough to withstand meteorite impacts.

      The list goes on and on...

  2. Really? by greg_barton · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...the surgery left her with one eyebrow higher than the other and a surprised look permanently affixed to her face.
    Fascinating...
  3. Other side effect by edwardpickman · · Score: 4, Funny

    The other side effect of the surgery was due to the tightly stretched skin she can't close her eyes when she's sitting down.

  4. Deformation by NiceRoundNumber · · Score: 3, Funny

    The website was challenged in a defamation suit filed by surgeon Jonathan Sykes

    Did anyone else read this as "deformation suit"??

    --
    Diplomacy is the art of letting other people have your way.