Is an Intenet Discussion Actionable Libel?
My question involves defamation in the state of:???Guy making threats is in FL.
Regarding an internet forum that is centered around building kit cars. A member's brother had the steering fail on his car and posted pictures of it and a bunch of other users talked about what they thought was wrong with the design , the design that failed. The discussion then wandered to how the problem should be fixed etc. Then out of nowhere the owner of the kit car company jumps in and says that if anyone posts anything else about this incident they will be sued for libel. He even threatened to sue the moderators of the site. Can he do that?
CLick here to read the thread. The threat is made on page 7.
Re: Is an Intenet Discussion Actionable Libel?
What threat?
That people were stating the truth or their opinion?
No libel there.
Re: Is an Intenet Discussion Actionable Libel?
If you continue with this in public. I will take stringent legal action
I was taught in law school that when a statement began with if then it wasn't a threat. Or a conditional threat at best.
But, "threatening" legal action is always okay.
Lawyers have to make money.
Re: Is an Intenet Discussion Actionable Libel?
Sure, he can sue.
Suing is one thing. Anyone with time and money for a lawyer (or patience for DIY) can do that.
Winning is quite another beast entirely.
Besides, the absolute defense to a claim of libel is the truth. Did the design fail? Demonstrably so? Yes? Then he's really got nothing. He can stomp his foot and scream "Shut up!" all he wants, but that doesn't obligate the injured parties to do so.