Interesting Precedent
 

Seems that someone posted an offensive comment regarding a Vogue Model. She has won the right to force a web-blog to reveal the identity of the offensive poster.

While not necessarily applicable to us here at APC, it could certainly change the routine and abrasive activities that occur on the Internet.

Vogue model Liskula Cohen wins right to unmask offensive blogger

A Vogue cover girl has won a precedent-setting court battle to unmask an anonymous blogger who called her a “skank” on the Internet. In a case with potentially far-reaching repercussions, Liskula Cohen sought the identity of the blogger who maligned her on the Skanks in NYC blog so that she could sue him or her for defamation. A Manhattan supreme court judge ruled that she was entitled to the information and ordered Google, which ran the offending blog, to turn it over.

Remainder of article:

Vogue model Liskula Cohen wins right to unmask offensive blogger - Times Online

A skank? I've seen much worse than that here. More power to her.

Libel and Slander are not protected speech in any way. If you get sued, a subpoena will force any web host to cough up your info...unless they are willing to sit in jail for contempt on YOUR behalf.

Yeah, but when you put yourself in the public spotlight you relinquish the right to most libel cases. At least that was the way it was explained in my single business law case in college. In no way do I have any idea what I'm talking about lol.

This forum's Terms of Service are written to spur a productive dialog as well as protect users (and APC) from legal action. Read our privacy policy, in a nutshell it says that we will not divulge any user info for any reason unless compelled to do so by a court order.

Forums have enjoyed protection from suit as publishers, however going after users is relatively new. I'll be interested in the outcome.

Be careful what you say on APC
 

This might set the precident for things to come.

Ruling could let model find, sue online heckler - CNN.com

This is nothing new. Many "anonymous" message boards have been sued for a member's IP address and email address. Most simply comply with the request to avoid a costly legal bill, throwing the poster under the bus. Yes, be careful what you say, especially here on APC. Unlike the others, you don't need to be a member to read the comments here... they even show up on Google. Anyone and everyone can read everything we write here.

On here, we're not really completely anonymous anyway. I know for a fact more than a few people know who I am.

My identity has never been a secret to those who know me.

Okay APC. I want the address of VQ2 Spanky so that I can sue him!:D