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Bloggers Immune From Suits Against Commenters

Posted by kdawson on from the common-carrier dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Suppose a commenter posts a libelous comment here at Slashdot. Can Slashdot and its owners be sued for defamation? A federal appeals court just held that no, they cannot. The court noted that a federal law was designed to ensure that 'within broad limits, message board operators would not be held responsible for the postings made by others on that board,' adding that, were the law otherwise, it would have an 'obvious chilling effect' on blogger speech."

12 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Let's test it out.... by Mikachu · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft sells your soul to satan!

    *runs*

    1. Re:Let's test it out.... by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 5, Funny

      They can't sue GP. It's got to be FALSE information.

    2. Re:Let's test it out.... by monopole · · Score: 2, Funny

      There's going to be a problem with cat overpopulation then.

    3. Re:Let's test it out.... by QRDeNameland · · Score: 3, Funny

      I wholeheartedly agree that to say that "a certain congressman deserves 'two in the back of the head'" is offensive.

      They ALL deserve two in the back of the head.

      --
      Momentarily, the need for the construction of new light will no longer exist.
    4. Re:Let's test it out.... by Skreems · · Score: 2, Funny

      If you don't act offended at the behavior of others, how are you going to get that warm fuzzy feeling of superiority?

      --
      Slashdot needs a "-1, Wrong" moderation option.
      The Urban Hippie
    5. Re:Let's test it out.... by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 4, Funny

      They ALL deserve two in the back of the head.

      Sounds risky. Better to unload the whole clip.

  2. Cool! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now I can clue everyone in that Taco uses Windows! :)

  3. It's a bad thing! by spun · · Score: 2, Funny

    We need more chilling effects! Haven't you guys ever heard of global warming?

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  4. sue the makers of Pens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I once wrote a slanderous piece about someone and they, knowing that I had no money, determined that the brand of pen that I wrote the document with (pre-computer) was Bic, then filed a lawsuit agains Bic corporation for supplying me with the tool I used for my slanderous remarks.

    Note: The above did not really happen. It just served to make a (ball) point.

  5. Scientology by JamDonut · · Score: 2, Funny

    Seeing as there is no reference to this previously, I vote that we reinstate the comments from this thread.

    These people really get on my chimes. Our text is ours!

  6. Re:Common sense by The_Wilschon · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's just common sense.
    But it is also politics. The two are seen together about as often as whales are seen in deserts.
    --
    SIGSEGV caught, terminating

    wait... not that kind of sig.
  7. Satan: Sell your soul to me, not Microsoft by Cope57 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft sells your soul to satan!

    *runs* A article I blogged from Humorix.org

    Fake news written by James Baughn @ Humorix.org
    from the where-do-you-want-to-go-today? dept.

    HADES -- Faced with growing competition from Microsoft in the lucrative soul-buying market, the Prince of Darkness today unveiled a new advertising campaign hoping to lure in more customers and turn the tables on Bill Gates.

    "The Novell-Microsoft deal was the final straw," Satan said during a press conference at his underground lair. "Novell should have sold their souls to me, not Microsoft. I can offer much greater rewards than some phony-baloney we-promise-not-to-sue covenant. Just look at The SCO Group: they sold their souls to Microsoft and what do they have to show for it now?"

    The last few years have been very tough for Satan. "When I look at all of the suckers that have partnered with Microsoft, only to be stabbed in the back repeatedly, I can only shrug my horns," he lamented. "Those should be *my* customers! Between Microsoft and the Republican Party, the competition is eating me alive!"

    During the last three quarters, earnings for Hades have plummeted 45%, causing one stock analyst to downgrade Hades (ticker symbol: HELL) from "Strong Buy" to "Exorcise From Your Portfolio Immediately." The added competition from Microsoft and others has caused the futures market for souls to skyrocket, cutting profit margins severely for Hades.

    "Fire and brimstone ain't cheap," Satan growled. "I need cheap souls to perform the grunt work that keeps this place going."

    Nevertheless, the Prince of Darkness hopes that the situation will improve thanks to an advertising blitz highlighting the advantages of selling out.

    "Need cash now?" asks one TV commercial. "Don't mess with high-interest loans... we've got the solution to your money problems right here. In just fifteen minutes and with your signature in blood, you can have all of the money you need!"

    Another spot proclaims, "You only have one soul -- sell it wisely. There's a reason The Devil has been the market leader for the last two millennia. We offer much better rewards than the competition. Don't delay, call Hades today! Minions are standing by."

    Industry observers expressed mixed reactions at the news. "I'm glad that we're seeing such viable competition," said an analyst for the Blartner Group. "For centuries, mortals have faced the unpleasant challenge of trying to sell their souls in a buyer's market. All of that has changed now that Satan no longer has a stranglehold."

    However, a rival pundit said, "This is terrible. It's bad enough that Satan represents pure evil, but now we have a corporation that is even worse! When will the insanity end?"

    A slave... er, spokesperson for Microsoft was unavailable for comment at press time.

    Sell Your Soul?

    --
    http://www.accountkiller.com/removal-requested