Internet defamation is a relatively new phenomenon in the personal injury world. Since the advent of the World Wide Web, people have been using the internet to publish unfathomable amounts of information. Sometimes, the content people publish on the internet may be harmful to others.
While there have been a handful of successful cases of internet defamation suits, in most cases they are extremely difficult to prove in court. In general, defamation is defined as a “false and unprivileged” statement harmful to a person’s reputation. The statement must have been made intentionally and with fault, thus suggesting negligence.
Elements of a Defamation Suit
There are several elements to consider in a defamation claim. For example, defamation cases rely on “absolute truths.” Because defamation is a false statement of fact, if the statement has an element of truth to it, it will not be considered defamatory.
For example: Jim’s blog states that a colleague was fired for sexual harassment. The colleague was indeed fired, but not because of sexual harassment. Perhaps John heard this somewhere else. Either way, because there is an element of truth, the statement is not considered wholly defamatory.
There is also a difference in specific types of defamation: libel vs. slander. Prior to the internet, anything written would be considered libel, while anything spoken would be considered slander. Today, the line is more blurred, and the focus is on the permanence of the statement. For example, instant messages are not permanent, and are more like slander, while a blog post or video is permanent and may be more akin to libel.
For a legal consultation call (713) 500-5000
The Common Decency Act of 1995
The reason defamation cases are usually unsuccessful is because of the availability of multiple defenses. If the statement is true, it will not be considered defamatory. If the statement is retracted, the defamed person may receive limited or no compensation. A statute of limitations may negate the case altogether.
In cases where a defamatory statement was published or linked to a third party website, like Google, the search engine may be protected under the Communications Decency Act. This act is intended to protect internet service providers, but in some cases also protects big data sites like Google. Section 230 of the CDA states that neither a provider nor a user of a computer service can be treated as the publisher of information provided by another person or body. Basically, unless Google directly contributed content to the defamatory statement, the corporation would not likely be held liable.
While there may have been a few successful Google suits, they should be considered the exception to the rule. Generally, Google will remove any offending content should the defamed individual request it. The main reason any of these cases were successful was because Google did not remove the defamatory material in the given amount of time after the request.
Taking into account the amount of time and money that will be spent on an internet defamation case, it is probably not in your best interest to sue Google for slander or libel. Defamation cases, by nature, are complex, time consuming, and difficult to justify. Additionally, ISP’s like Google are protected under the Common Decency Act. One of the early defamation cases against Google took place in London in 2011. After an appeal, the plaintiff’s case was dismissed under the CDA, and he lost more than $40,000 paying for Google’s legal costs.
Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
Contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Houston, TX
3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350, Houston, TX 77098
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – East Fwy, Houston, TX
11811 East Fwy, Suite 630-06, Houston, TX 77029
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – South Loop, Houston, TX
2600 S Loop W, Suite 293, Houston, TX 77054
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Katy Freeway, Houston, TX
11511 Katy Fwy Suite 515, Houston, TX 77079
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Clear Lake, Houston, TX
1300 Bay Area Blvd Suite B268, Houston, TX 77058
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Cypress, TX
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – The Woodlands, TX
1776 Woodstead Ct ste 203, The Woodlands, TX 77380
About the Author Brian White
Brian White earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer.
Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and community initiatives.
Client testimonials highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents.
Avvo / Justia / Linkedin / Facebook / Youtube / Instagram / Yelp /
Call or Text (713) 500-5000 or Complete a Case Evaluation Form
