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        New Message Board Archives >> Oct-Dec 2003 >> Quick Internet question
        
(Message started by: pubgirl on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:15pm)

Title: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:15pm

Dear Web experts

What is it possible to do if you have found something libellous about one of your recently dead relatives on a public website?

Wendy

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by grumpett on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:17pm

what does libelous mean?

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:25pm

Thanks to the Michael Jackson thread here I was doing a quick bit of surfing about J.M Barrie and found a website saying that Laurie Lee was a paedophile. He was a relative of mine by marriage (he died a few years ago) and he DEFINITELY wasn't a paedophile. The website offers no evidence whatever to back the claim up.

His surviving family would be devastated if they knew this was being said about him so I would like to try and see what I can do to get it removed though I suspect there's nothing I can do. Not sure if you can even legally libel the dead.

Wendy

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by jonny on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:36pm

No case....here or anywhere in the world....its the internet......LOL

...................................jonny

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:38pm

Thanks Jonny
I thought that might be the case but it's pretty sad for his family. There isn't much worse a thing you can say about someone really.

W

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by grumpett on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:41pm

I would guess a court order! Here in ontario their was a web-site set up about our local priest that were charged with pedophile rings and the Bishop had to get a court order to have it removed by the person who put the site up!
There were lots of accusations that were pretty scary and detailed about all involved, by there accusers.
I think it depends on different countries and internet laws where they are created.
Hope this helps...But my daughter is in her last year of law school and her specialty is internet laws globally, so I could ask her if you like!

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 6:45pm

Grumpett

I would really appreciate it as I would at least like to try and find out from the person where his/her evidence is. The website has no contact details on it surprise, surprise.

Wendy

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by Little Deb on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 7:09pm

What context was the name in. It may be an unsual name, but I would bet there is more than one by that name still alive.

If the article didn't specify age, location, link to family, etc., just ignore it. They are referring to someone else. Just a coincidence.

;)LD

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 22^nd, 2003, 7:17pm

LD
It was referring to famous British Paedophiles, so I don't think there is much doubt who they mean. There is a whole page of famous names too who in their words "might be" paedophiles!

WB

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by Cerberus on Nov 23^rd, 2003, 9:26pm

I reckon most things on any public website are merely conjecture or opinion. I would look for any kind of disclaimer (probably ain't one). But, you can ask to have the comments stricken from the site, and if you were in the USA you could threaten to sue. Dunno how courts handle such stuff across the pond.

Ramon

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by kim on Nov 23^rd, 2003, 9:48pm

I'm still soundingout liberl*@# - i MEAN LIBELLUS [smiley=laugh.gif]
yA WANT MY 2CENS? rEAD tHE eLEPHANT MAN AND FORGET ABOUT IT. :)

PASS ON TO KIDS A DARK SECRET INVOLVING SOME DECENCY ANY HOW. [smiley=huh.gif]pLUS THE READING IS MUCH MORE SATISFYING. :D

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by cootie on Nov 23^rd, 2003, 10:05pm

Wendy.....try emailin 'goaway' on here.......should be able to find his addy on here in the members list ? His regular email is hidden but you can find his screen name and click on to PM him.....he's a lawyer of sorts. At least if I remember correctly he is. See if he can help....or at least instruck ya what ya can or can't do....or how to find out ! Pam that's not bein libellous

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by Opus on Nov 23^rd, 2003, 10:54pm

Wendy,
The laws depend on what country the site is host in. Look in properties of the web page, then you should beable to find out if they are hosted on a commertial server, contact them and they might just remove. peaple get there sites removed all the time for less, If they have there own server you can try to find out where they live, and if in UK and your laws don't allow it you can get it removed through the courts.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by brain_cramps on Nov 24^th, 2003, 12:23am

to find out where they are, put the domain-name (ie. www.xyz.com) into www.allwhois.com ---- it'll give you detailed info including registrant (and address), administrative contact (and address), and technical contact (and address).

hope this helps,
grant

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by floridian on Nov 24^th, 2003, 11:43am

In the US, only the living can be libeled. Damages can be claimed if false statements injure living persons other than the target of the statements, but seems difficult to prove. (It has to do more than upset them - it has to cause specific damages, like loss of income.) UK law may be different on some points - we have the same idea of common law, but the cases that determine the law are different.

Here is a checklist for determining if you have a case according to US law:
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/libelfrm.htm

Quote:

No case ... its the internet

The internet is just another form of publication. It may be more difficult to enforce, but all existing laws (copyright, libel, negligence, etc) still apply to the net. Biggest 'problem' with the net is that it is international, so an action from one country is heard/felt around the world, but may not be actionable in the country where it originated. But I don't see that as a problem because I don't want the laws of Saudi Arabia or China determining what I can publish on my website.

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by thomas on Nov 24^th, 2003, 11:56am

Hack in, crash their site, re-route it to porn and hold them ransom. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 24^th, 2003, 1:41pm

Thanks all for the advice

Grant, my bro did what you suggested for me and I am a bit confused if it is a US or a Canadian site . It is a carefully phrased site all about "Girl love". It has no obvious child porn images but I suspect that is because I have not looked at all the links on it.

The site is registered to the most obvious pseudonym (Johann Bach- !!!) but there are contact details, so I suspect these are spurious too.

If it's any help, the domain is registered to the following:

Registrant Name:Johann Bach
Registrant Street1:PO BOX 420
Registrant City:WASHINGTON
Registrant State/Province:District of Columbia
Registrant Postal Code:20044-0420
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.2026284858
Registrant Email:bach@openhands.ws

.... and is hosted by:
http://www.epifora.com/

Contact Information
Email
For information, info@epifora.com
To report abuse of our services, abuse@epifora.com
MarmotMail for service and billing, postmaster@marmotmail.com
Telephone
(514) 277-5636
Postal address
Epifora, Inc.
6595 St-Hubert
P.O. Box 59054
Montreal, Quebec
H2S 3P5
Canada

Do you folks think there is any point contacting the owners via this so called report abuse email address?

Thanks again

Wendy

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by Opus on Nov 24^th, 2003, 1:54pm

wendy,
That's what it is there for. The site does not only have to conform to local laws but also the rules set down by the host. Most don't check the sites for abuse, they wait until there is a report of abuse then they act.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by brain_cramps on Nov 24^th, 2003, 2:08pm

on 11/22/03 at 18:25:57, pubgirl wrote:

...found a website saying that Laurie Lee was a paedophile. He was a relative of mine by marriage (he died a few years ago) and he DEFINITELY wasn't a paedophile. The website offers no evidence whatever to back the claim up...

Just out of curiosity... Are you sure it is the same "Laurie Lee" ?

just checking,
grant

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by pubgirl on Nov 24^th, 2003, 2:13pm

There isn't another famous Brit by that name so I don't think it is in doubt who it is.

W

Title: Re: Quick Internet question
Post by brain_cramps on Nov 24^th, 2003, 2:30pm

on 11/24/03 at 14:13:28, pubgirl wrote:

There isn't another famous Brit by that name so I don't think it is in doubt who it is.

W

I guess I'm not up on famous Brits. :-[

sorry,
grant