Category: INTERNET DEFAMATION LAW

The Privacy Tort of False Light Explained By An Internet Lawyer In Plain English

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Believe it or not, The United State Constitution doesn’t mention “privacy” once; but that doesn’t mean invasion of privacy isn’t protected. After all, the fourth amendment guards against unreasonable search and seizures, and the ninth amendment ensures that arguably inalienable rights not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, are also protected. As such, many states have False Light invasion of privacy laws on the books. As a private citizen, you have a right to protect yourself from unflattering and unwanted publicity. The legal concept is known as “False Light.” And as we collectively continue to travel down this wi-fi, Internet-obsessed road we’re on, expect to see more false light lawsuits hitting the courts. What Is False Light? False light is a privacy tort often confused with defamation. In fact, some jurisdictions think the two are so similar they’re lumped together under ...

Online Defamation Does A Number On Lawyer’s Reputation

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Shakespeare said it best, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” And no man knows the truth of those words better than former Norwalk, Connecticut prosecutor Matthew C. Couloute Jr. When several of the young attorney’s former lovers flamed him on the website LiarsCheatersRUs.com, their blast of virtual vitriol became the top search result on Google and landed him several headlines in the New York Post. Couloute’s Background Prior to his online infamy Mattew C. Couloute Jr. enjoyed a legal career that would inspire envy in most. He was the youngest attorney to serve as a prosecutor for the state of Connecticut; he worked for the National Football League; AND he served as a consultant for MSNBC and Court TV. But sadly his ex-girlfriend’s revenge posts are what brought him the most fame — and now an online defamation ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Tagged Defamation, Free Speech, Internet Defamation, online defamation, Online Reputation, Reputation Management | Leave a comment

The International Online Defamation Lawsuit of Han Han

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Last week, international media outlets were abuzz over an online defamation lawsuit involving China’s Mario Andretti/Dave Eggers, Han Han, and the Asian James Randi, Fang Zhouzi. Millions of Millennial-gen Chinese are invested in the details of this online defamation lawsuit — and it’s sure to captivate anyone with even a passing interest in mega-celebrity, conspiracies or vanity lawsuits. You’ve been warned. Tabloid Worthy Online Defamation Lawsuit: Who are Han Han and Fang Zhouzi, You Ask? Meet Han Han Han Han is a blogger/author/race-car driver who recently filed a few online defamation lawsuits against his Internet adversary, Fang Zhouzi, a self-styled Internet “science cop” who’s out to right the oh so scientific wrongs plaguing the planet. Han Han is a big deal in China, a mega, dare we say, meta-celebrity. He’s not just any blogger, he’s the most prolific, most popular blogger in a nation ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Tagged Blogging, Defamation, International Internet Law, Internet Defamation | Leave a comment

Time For An Online Defamation Quiz!

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

What is Defamation? Spreading a rumor, talking trash, or gossiping might seem pretty harmless, but if your Hater-Aid has the power to injure the reputation another, you could find yourself in some serious legal trouble. Most jurisdictions define defamation as “an act of communication that causes someone to be shamed, ridiculed, held in contempt, lowered in the estimation of the community, or lose employment status or earnings or otherwise suffer a damaged reputation.” Businesses, products, groups, governments, and even nations can be vulnerable to derogatory statements from someone’s loose lips or poison pen. But you can’t really have a discussion about defamation without talking about slander and libel. In layman’s terms, if the insult is spoken, it’s slander. If it’s written or included in a broadcast, it’s considered libel. Defamation: A statement of Fact. So let’s say you know a ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Leave a comment

Online Reputation Management Company Accused of Hacking Websites to ‘Inject’ Illegal Code

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Darren Meade, CEO of a California based company, is publicly alleging that renowned online reputation management company, Rexxfield, is engaging in illegal online activity. Rexxfield adamantly denies the claim. Online Reputation Management Accusations It all started back in 2010. Darren had retained the services of Michael Roberts, owner of Rexxfield, an Online Reputation Management (ORM) company. Rexxfield specializes in combating cyber bullies and online defamation by “going after” the offending users and websites. In some circles, Michael Roberts is known as an Internet Bounty Hunter — tracking down bad guys who post libelous material and shutting them down. But, Meade insists the hunter has gone rogue. And not in a Justified manner. Online Reputation Management Techniques For the uninitiated, tracking down users who post negative comments is a relatively simple and legal task using metadata, and Internet ‘artifacts’, but shutting ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law, Internet Law | Tagged Online Reputation | Leave a comment

McKee V. Laurion Defamation Lawsuit: Round Three

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Looks like Dennis Laurion is heading back to court. The Minnesota resident, who has been entangled in an online defamation lawsuit for nearly two years, was reportedly “dismayed” to learn on Monday that the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed the decision of District Court Judge Erick Hylden. In April of 2011, Hylden ruled that 11 statements purportedly made by Laurion did not constitute online defamation. But this week, the appeals court essentially said, “Nope, this case should be heard by a jury.” Dr. David McKee – of Northland Neurology and Myology – first filed suit in June of 2010, accusing Laurion of online defamation after McKee provided medical attention to Laurion’s father in the hospital after a stroke. Dennis was not pleased with McKee’s demeanor or professionalism and took to a couple of doctor-review-sites to air his grievances. Laurion contends ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Tagged Defamation, Doctor Defamation, Internet Defamation, Online Reputation | Leave a comment

The Queen of Versailles Defamation Debacle

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

On the first night of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, participants packed into a sold-out theater to screen “The Queen of Versailles” – a film directed by award-winning documentarian, Lauren Greenfield. But what many of the viewers may not have known is that “The Queen of Versailles” is embroiled in a defamation lawsuit. How the Queen of Versailles Defamation Lawsuit Came To Be Several years ago, Greenfield and her team set out to document the life David “the timeshare king” Siegel, his wife Jackie and their 7 kids, as they constructed their 90,000 square-foot manse in Windermere, Florida. Ostensibly trying to replicate royalty, the Siegel’s home was to be a replica of Versailles – the famed palace on the outskirts of Paris. Everything was going along great – and then the financial crisis of 2008 hit. The Siegel’s, it turned ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Leave a comment

Online Defamation Injunction In Ireland

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Imagine if you were traveling in a country half-way around the world from your own, and returned home only to find out that your name had been dragged through virtual mud? Well, that is exactly what happened to Irishman, Eoin McKeogh — who then had to take legal action to rectify his online defamation problem. Online Defamation Of A Traveling Man? On November 13, 2011, Eoin McKeogh, a 22-year-old student from Dublin, Ireland, was innocently doing his academic thing in Japan. Being that Japan is a substantial distance from Dublin, Mr. McKeogh was understandably dismayed upon discovering, on a cold December day, that he was being accused of stiffing a Dublin taxi driver of his due €50 (about $64.57 USD) fare on November 13. The taxi driver, who had taken a video of the fleeing fare evader on November 13, ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Tagged Defamation, DMCA, International Internet Law, online defamation, Online Reputation | Leave a comment

Arizona Online Defamation Lawsuit Leads To $12M Payout

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

Sherry Ann Petta, former patient of Michelle L. Cabret-Carlotti, MD, DDS and Albert E. Carlotti III, MD, DDS, recently lost an online defamation lawsuit and ordered, by an Arizona court, to pay $12 million to the Carlottis. Ouch! Petta’s Online Defamation Lawsuit: Background From 2007 to 2008, Ms. Petta received treatment from the nip/tuck specialists at the Desert Palm Surgical Group facility in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to court records, the doctors were treating Sherry Ann for a skin infection and non-healing condition. The treatments apparently didn’t produce the results Ms. Petta expected. Subsequently, she blamed the doctors for the infection she developed. Ms. Petta was pissed! In fact, he anger stirred her to start a website and posted complaints about the doctors’ supposed poor treatment; she also accused them being responsible for her skin infection. In her textual tirades, she ...

Posted in Internet Defamation Law | Tagged Blogging, Defamation, Doctor Defamation, Internet Defamation, online defamation, Online Reputation | Leave a comment

Internet Law Bills Currently Making Their Way Through The US Federal Government

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Internet Lawyer

It’s Internet law time! Below is a chart of Internet laws currently being reviewed in both the House and Senate. Bookmark this page and check back for updates. If you have any Internet law needs or questions, contact the Kelly Law Firm — as Internet law is our forte. Bill Sponsor Status Last Action Plain English S. 74: Internet Freedom, Broadband Promotion, and Consumer Protection Act of 2011 A bill to preserve the free and open nature of the Internet, expand the benefits of broadband, and promote universally available and affordable broadband service. Sen. Maria Cantwell [D-WA] Referred to Committee Jan. 25, 2011 Think “a chicken in every pot.” Everyone should have access to the Internet. H.R. 654: Do Not Track Me Online Act To direct the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe regulations regarding the collection and use of information ...

Posted in Government Regulations, Intellectual Property Law, Internet Defamation Law, Internet Law, Online Privacy Law | 1 Comment

TESTIMONIAL

Find Out What Our Clients Say

I once loved lawyers. Then I hated lawyers. Now I love lawyers again. Thank you Aaron Kelly, you’ve rejuvenated my love for lawyers.

Ryan Eagle - Eagle Web Assets / BlamAds

The Kelly Law Firm is an invaluable tool when it comes to all Internet dealings. Their knowledge and experience in Internet law has given my

Tucker Blalock -ladiesloop.com

Me and my business partner called Aaron Kelly seeking some legal counsel to defend us against a pending defamation case and were blown away with

John Danger-Internet Law Client

Aaron’s knowledge of all things Internet has helped me personally on numerous occasions, and he’s the Internet lawyer I recommend 100% of the time. If

Brian Evans-Daily Conversions