Slashdot Mirror
Texas Judge Orders Identification of Topix Trolls
eldavojohn writes "Ars Technica has a story on a Texas judge who has ordered Topix.com to hand over the identifying details of 178 trolls that allegedly made 'perverted, sick, vile, inhumane accusations' about Mark & Rhonda Lesher. Mark Lesher was accused of sexually assaulting an unidentified former client (and subsequently found not guilty) which prompted the not so understanding discussions on Topix. Topix has until March 6 to give up the information. Let's hope the Leshers don't visit Slashdot!"
if the guy who made the first post would get a higher penalty?
sudo mount --milk --sugar
And I think this is a very good point as to why anonymous posting should be allowed.
About a year ago, I received what is most commonly known as a 'Cease and Desist Letter'. It was not written by a judge, it was not the result of a jury or any type of court ruling. It was just the ranting of a lawyer, who in my opinion, ranks very high in the incompetence area.
Now, anyone can read the letter that Caton Commercial sent. It has been posted for anyone to read, with the intention of shining a light on this incredibly ignorant tactic.
The letter referred to a post I had on a website, that listed the public court schedule for a particular company in my area. Let me repeat that again, the letter listed the PUBLIC COURT SCHEDULE for the appearances of a company in my area.
Because I chose not to be anonymous in my posting of this information, it was easy to find me, and I had the enjoyment(and later amusement) of reading this letter and the incredibly ignorant claims made in it.
In a way, I wish it would have gone to court. I would have LOVED to have heard this lawyer actually try to argue in front of the judge, that the public information that the county published itself was in any way libelous.