November 21, 2006 | In Technology, Law |
Bloggers in California have gained protection from misdirected libel lawsuits, after the state’s Supreme Court ruled that a newsgroup owner could not be sued for posting defamatory statements made by others.
This confirms a federal law granting internet service and content providers immunity from libel suits, and is a victory for online publishers and free speech advocates.
“People who contend they were defamed on the Internet can seek recovery only from the original source of the statement, not from those who re-post it,” the court stated, noting that “subjecting internet service providers and users to defamation liability would tend to chill online speech.”
The unanimous ruling is a victory for online publishers and internet free speech advocates, and further entrenches the principle of “don’t shoot the messenger” into U.S. common law.
