Demon.uk "not backing down" On Godfrey

larien writes "In response to the reporting on their case (See past stores) Demon has issued this press release. In particular, the release includes the following from Demon's director "We have in no way changed our stance, and are extremely confident of winning the case against Dr Laurence Godfrey." " They have, however, choosen to not attend the pre-trial hearing, which probably means Dr. Godfrey will win. In related new, Spridle sent us a story from Silicon. eBay is rethinking any UK development, following this suit.

Comments

quick history

[rodbegbie]

for those not familiar:

In middle of flame war, user in America posted an article to newsgroup, forging the From: address to be that of Mr Godfrey. Mr Godfrey contacted his ISP, Demon, asking for them to remove the message from their servers (despite the fact that the message poster has no connection with DEmon). Demon (for a variety of reasons) said no. Godfrey sued for libel, and won.

The implications for this are wide-ranging -- that ISPs in Britain are somehow responsible for the messages that pass through their servers. The only good thing to come out of it is that it may be the incentive needed to get the British libel laws rewritten for the 21st century (because they've barely been touched in the 20th)

rOD.

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