Dozier Internet Law is constantly battling the scofflaws of the web. On the one hand, the Internet as a whole opens up the world to everyone. On the other hand, it opens up the world to, well...to everyone. Defamation laws and related judicial interpretations evolved historically at a time, and in an environment, in which there were inherent protections that served as a filter of sorts. Today those protections are lost to the ability to distribute attacks to millions overnight. Want to physically picket a business? You have to invest time and disclose your identity if you are going to coordinate and show up at a business. Want to print and distribute flyers, or take out an advertisement or run a commercial? Expensive, of course. And newspapers and television wouldn't print, even as ads or commercials, alot of the outrageous claims and statements being readily distributed online.Once in a while, Dozier Internet Law sees comments encouraging such illegality from what might seem to be credible sources. But the application and interpretation of laws dealing with disparagement and defamation and other lawlessness will eventually catch up with the online scofflaws, and defending misconduct by claiming you saw a blog by a lawyer saying it was legal is not a defense.
On October 15, 2008 the District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida just rejected an appeal from the Defendant and confirmed a JURY judgment on behalf of Susan Scheff in the sum of $11.3 Million, of which $5 Million was for punitive damages (on behalf of Susan Scheff and her very small business), against an individual who took it upon herself to publish allegedly defamatory statements online.
Read the plaintiff's comments by Sue Scheff about "free speech".Online defamation and product disparagement is a huge issue, of course, and businesses are under attack. This judgment is just another example of the legal system catching up with online misconduct. And instead of a real attempt to establish standards and self police and self regulate, one blogger organization has started selling insurance to bloggers. It strikes me that insurance coverage is a wonderful thing for the businesses under attack.
At Dozier Internet Law we hear from dozens of victims of online blog attacks each week, it seems. The possibility of insurance coverage is great. Online defamation promises to be a growth industry for trial lawyers. Another example, I surmise, of an unanticipated and unintended consequence...but this time of mammoth proportions.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sue Scheff - Victorious Again - $11.3M Jury Verdict Stands Firm
Back in September 2006, I was awarded over $11.3M jury verdict for damages. They were defamatory and false statements about my organization, myself and my family.
I fought back, and won! The defendant attempted to have the judgment set aside - although she was firmly denied in July 2007, she filed an appeal.
Today, it is official - she loses again in the appellate court, and the $11.3M judgment stands firm!
Free speech is still in tact, but it will not condone defamation.
Remember, think before your post - sometimes keystrokes can be costly!
I fought back, and won! The defendant attempted to have the judgment set aside - although she was firmly denied in July 2007, she filed an appeal.
Today, it is official - she loses again in the appellate court, and the $11.3M judgment stands firm!
Free speech is still in tact, but it will not condone defamation.
Remember, think before your post - sometimes keystrokes can be costly!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Free Speech vs Internet Defamation - Caution - it could be costly!
Read through this Blog and you will see that free speech is still in place but it will not condone defamation.
Blogging is fun, the Internet can be educational - but remember, what you post today can come back to haunt you tomorrow. And could be costly to you!
Bloggers Test the Limit of free speech: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080914/NEWS/809140333
Blogging is fun, the Internet can be educational - but remember, what you post today can come back to haunt you tomorrow. And could be costly to you!
Bloggers Test the Limit of free speech: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080914/NEWS/809140333
Friday, August 15, 2008
The INTERNET -Is it being used as a WEAPON?
Since winning my unprecedented lawsuit in September 2006 - with a jury verdict for damages done to my family, my organization and myself - over $11M - I am contacted on a daily basis from other victims of Internet Harassment, Abuse, Slander and Defamation.
This is a growing problem with today's expanding Cyberspace and more and more businesses being rated online. It has been stated that many time that many clients, when they seen negative posts on someone or a business, will usually not take the time to find out if it is Internet Gossip or fact.
I have heard from small business owners who have filed bankruptcy, struggling professionals that had one client or former employee take revenge with the keypad, as well as potential job applicants not getting a job after a firm did an Online Search. This is becoming a serious problem and needs to be addressed.
For those that believe that free speech will condone defamation, think twice - and read about my case. This is not about free speech - this is about people intentionally and maliciously destroying others with a few keystrokes in what is being called E-Venge.
I continue to answer as many emails as I can hoping to give others the support in the fact they are not alone.
This is a growing problem with today's expanding Cyberspace and more and more businesses being rated online. It has been stated that many time that many clients, when they seen negative posts on someone or a business, will usually not take the time to find out if it is Internet Gossip or fact.
I have heard from small business owners who have filed bankruptcy, struggling professionals that had one client or former employee take revenge with the keypad, as well as potential job applicants not getting a job after a firm did an Online Search. This is becoming a serious problem and needs to be addressed.
For those that believe that free speech will condone defamation, think twice - and read about my case. This is not about free speech - this is about people intentionally and maliciously destroying others with a few keystrokes in what is being called E-Venge.
I continue to answer as many emails as I can hoping to give others the support in the fact they are not alone.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Internet Defamation Can Be Costly
Since winning my unprecedented lawsuit in September 2006 - with a jury verdict for damages done to my family, my organization and myself - over $11M - I am contacted on a daily basis from other victims of Internet Harassment, Abuse, Slander and Defamation.
This is a growing problem with today's expanding Cyberspace and more and more businesses being rated online. It has been stated that many time that many clients, when they seen negative posts on someone or a business, will usually not take the time to find out if it is Internet Gossip or fact.
I have heard from small business owners who have filed bankruptcy, struggling professionals that had one client or former employee take revenge with the keypad, as well as potential job applicants not getting a job after a firm did an Online Search. This is becoming a serious problem and needs to be addressed.
For those that believe that free speech will condone defamation, think twice - and read about my case. This is not about free speech - this is about people intentionally and maliciously destroying others with a few keystrokes in what is being called E-Venge.
I continue to answer as many emails as I can hoping to give others the support in the fact they are not alone.
This is a growing problem with today's expanding Cyberspace and more and more businesses being rated online. It has been stated that many time that many clients, when they seen negative posts on someone or a business, will usually not take the time to find out if it is Internet Gossip or fact.
I have heard from small business owners who have filed bankruptcy, struggling professionals that had one client or former employee take revenge with the keypad, as well as potential job applicants not getting a job after a firm did an Online Search. This is becoming a serious problem and needs to be addressed.
For those that believe that free speech will condone defamation, think twice - and read about my case. This is not about free speech - this is about people intentionally and maliciously destroying others with a few keystrokes in what is being called E-Venge.
I continue to answer as many emails as I can hoping to give others the support in the fact they are not alone.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sue Scheff: The Web is Not Anonymous
My case and the unprecedented jury verdict for damages of over $11M has gained national and international attention. There are more and more people now fighting back against Cyberbullying and Internet Harassment.Take a moment to find out more about Internet Defamation and Invasion of Privacy.
Read More about how The Web is Not Anonymous by Dozier Internet Law:
Dozier Internet Law: The Web is Not Anonymous
Dozier Internet Law chases a lot of scofflaws. Sometimes the subject matter is copyright infringement, sometimes trademark infringement, often hacking and defamation. A reporter interviewing me last week was surprised to learn that individuals posting information online were not entitled to absolute anonymity and was surprised that you could subpoena information to identify the source of the publication of defamatory information in the airline industry. That got me to thinking a little about the knowledge base of most netizens.
Yes, you can be identified.For every instance in which Public Citizen wins a case preventing the disclosure of the identity, I suspect they turn down dozens of cases they know they can't win. There is no absolute right to privacy or anonymity online. Identities are disclosed everyday in litigation through a process called "discovery". And most people leave pretty good tracks.
If the plaintiff is obviously going to lose the case, the courts won't let the plaintiff use discovery to identify a defendant. But if the case is arguably valid, there is no problem with issuing extensive and far ranging discovery to locate and identify a defendant. And it is a process used often by lawyers, but an issue not publicized by the extreme left wingers very often. That way, each "victory" they claim sounds significant. But most, frankly, are irrelevant or at least not significant.
At Dozier Internet Law we go after these anonymous types often, and with great success. Rarely does Public Citizen get involved. When they do, their involvement is an anomaly. We don't publicize all of the cases in which we are identifying, through discovery, anonymous scofflaws, but from the volume of press release type emails and blog entries flowing from Public Citizen, I can understand this reporter's misunderstanding.
Read More about how The Web is Not Anonymous by Dozier Internet Law:
Dozier Internet Law: The Web is Not Anonymous
Dozier Internet Law chases a lot of scofflaws. Sometimes the subject matter is copyright infringement, sometimes trademark infringement, often hacking and defamation. A reporter interviewing me last week was surprised to learn that individuals posting information online were not entitled to absolute anonymity and was surprised that you could subpoena information to identify the source of the publication of defamatory information in the airline industry. That got me to thinking a little about the knowledge base of most netizens.
Yes, you can be identified.For every instance in which Public Citizen wins a case preventing the disclosure of the identity, I suspect they turn down dozens of cases they know they can't win. There is no absolute right to privacy or anonymity online. Identities are disclosed everyday in litigation through a process called "discovery". And most people leave pretty good tracks.
If the plaintiff is obviously going to lose the case, the courts won't let the plaintiff use discovery to identify a defendant. But if the case is arguably valid, there is no problem with issuing extensive and far ranging discovery to locate and identify a defendant. And it is a process used often by lawyers, but an issue not publicized by the extreme left wingers very often. That way, each "victory" they claim sounds significant. But most, frankly, are irrelevant or at least not significant.
At Dozier Internet Law we go after these anonymous types often, and with great success. Rarely does Public Citizen get involved. When they do, their involvement is an anomaly. We don't publicize all of the cases in which we are identifying, through discovery, anonymous scofflaws, but from the volume of press release type emails and blog entries flowing from Public Citizen, I can understand this reporter's misunderstanding.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Sue Scheff Podcast Website on E-Venge is Updated!
Visit http://www.suescheffpodcasts.com/ for the latest updates including The Rachael Ray Show! The hot topic of Cyber Slander and Online Harassment was discussed including my unprecedented jury verdict for damages of over $11M for Internet Defamation.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sue Scheff: Online Defamation is not Free Speech - $11.3M Jury Verdict for Damages
Since winning my unprecedented case against Internet Defamation, many people contact me looking for lawyers that specialize in Internet Law.
David Pollack, Miami, FL - was my attorney that won the $11.3M jury verdict for damages. Visit his website at http://www.davidpollacklaw.com/
John Dozier, Washington D.C. and offices in NY and CA- specializes in Internet Law and more. Visit his comprehensive website at http://www.cybertriallawyer.com/Internet Law is a growing area - and more and more lawyers are learning more about this.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0479er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0479&Session=2003
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=9976
Thanks to the new Cyberbullying laws, this can help more plaintiffs take a strong stand against being harassed online without infringing on their first amendment.If you don't need a lawyer, I continue to recommend ReputationDefender as an alternative or in combination with a lawyer.
David Pollack, Miami, FL - was my attorney that won the $11.3M jury verdict for damages. Visit his website at http://www.davidpollacklaw.com/
John Dozier, Washington D.C. and offices in NY and CA- specializes in Internet Law and more. Visit his comprehensive website at http://www.cybertriallawyer.com/Internet Law is a growing area - and more and more lawyers are learning more about this.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0479er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0479&Session=2003
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=9976
Thanks to the new Cyberbullying laws, this can help more plaintiffs take a strong stand against being harassed online without infringing on their first amendment.If you don't need a lawyer, I continue to recommend ReputationDefender as an alternative or in combination with a lawyer.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sue Scheff: Free Speech vs Internet Defamation
Read through this Blog and you will see that free speech is still in place but it will not condone defamation.
Blogging is fun, the Internet can be educational - but remember, what you post today can come back to haunt you tomorrow. And could be costly to you!
Blogging is fun, the Internet can be educational - but remember, what you post today can come back to haunt you tomorrow. And could be costly to you!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sue Scheff: Free Speech and Online Harassment
My case and the unprecedented jury verdict for damages of over $11M has gained national and international attention. There are more and more people now fighting back against Cyberbullying and Internet Harassment.Take a moment to find out more about Internet Defamation and Invasion of Privacy.
Read More about how The Web is Not Anonymous by Dozier Internet Law:
Dozier Internet Law: The Web is Not Anonymous
Dozier Internet Law chases a lot of scofflaws. Sometimes the subject matter is copyright infringement, sometimes trademark infringement, often hacking and defamation. A reporter interviewing me last week was surprised to learn that individuals posting information online were not entitled to absolute anonymity and was surprised that you could subpoena information to identify the source of the publication of defamatory information in the airline industry. That got me to thinking a little about the knowledge base of most netizens.Yes, you can be identified. For every instance in which Public Citizen wins a case preventing the disclosure of the identity, I suspect they turn down dozens of cases they know they can't win. There is no absolute right to privacy or anonymity online. Identities are disclosed everyday in litigation through a process called "discovery". And most people leave pretty good tracks. If the plaintiff is obviously going to lose the case, the courts won't let the plaintiff use discovery to identify a defendant. But if the case is arguably valid, there is no problem with issuing extensive and far ranging discovery to locate and identify a defendant. And it is a process used often by lawyers, but an issue not publicized by the extreme left wingers very often. That way, each "victory" they claim sounds significant. But most, frankly, are irrelevant or at least not significant.
At Dozier Internet Law we go after these anonymous types often, and with great success. Rarely does Public Citizen get involved. When they do, their involvement is an anomaly. We don't publicize all of the cases in which we are identifying, through discovery, anonymous scofflaws, but from the volume of press release type emails and blog entries flowing from Public Citizen, I can understand this reporter's misunderstanding.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sue Scheff: Internet Defamation, Cyber Slander and Online Harassment
Since winning my unprecedented case against Internet Defamation, many people contact me looking for lawyers that specialize in Internet Law.
David Pollack, Miami, FL - was my attorney that won the $11.3M jury verdict for damages. Visit his website at http://www.davidpollacklaw.com/
John Dozier, Washington D.C. and offices in NY and CA- specializes in Internet Law and more. Visit his comprehensive website at http://www.cybertriallawyer.com/
Internet Law is a growing area - and more and more lawyers are learning more about this. Thanks to the new Cyberbullying laws, this can help more plaintiffs take a strong stand against being harassed online without infringing on their first amendment.
If you don't need a lawyer, I continue to recommend ReputationDefender as an alternative or in combination with a lawyer.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sue Scheff - Articles about Parenting and CyberSafety
Check out my Blog on articles covering parenting, cyber safety and more.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sue Scheff: Five Ways to Defend Yourself Online
True or false, the information people find about you on the Web can have a big impact on your life. Here are five techniques to make sure that what people read about you is good (or at least true).
Click Here for the full article.
Defending yourself online has became a serious concern for many people. The lack of regulations in Cyberspace means you have to learn to maintain your own Google Image.As both a victim and survivor of Internet Defamation, I know first hand the toll this can take on a person and their family. I fought back and won an unprecedented jury verdict for damages of $11.3M.
Free Speech does not condone defamation!
Click Here for the full article.
Defending yourself online has became a serious concern for many people. The lack of regulations in Cyberspace means you have to learn to maintain your own Google Image.As both a victim and survivor of Internet Defamation, I know first hand the toll this can take on a person and their family. I fought back and won an unprecedented jury verdict for damages of $11.3M.
Free Speech does not condone defamation!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sue Scheff: Internet Slander and Internet Defamation - Protect Yourself
After I won an unprecedented jury verdict for damages done to me online of $11.3M - this has brought me into a new chapter of my advocacy. As a parent advocate, I educate parents on a loosely regulated industry some call - teen help residential programs and schools. After a horrific experience with my own teenager, I become a voice to create awareness to others so they didn't make the same mistakes I did.
Now with this new chapter of Internet Abuse and Cybersafety - I have meet with my Florida Senator several times and we just meet with our Congresswoman. I am very confident positive changes will be made to create a safer cyberspace - help to make people accountable - and reduce cyberbullying through new legislation.
My new position has put me in a public light, and I plan on using it to help others. I am contacted on a regular basis from victims of the Internet harassment as well as many media outlets. This is now a topic that is not going away anytime soon.
Visit my Podcasts on E-Venge.
My official website is http://www.suescheff.com/
Now with this new chapter of Internet Abuse and Cybersafety - I have meet with my Florida Senator several times and we just meet with our Congresswoman. I am very confident positive changes will be made to create a safer cyberspace - help to make people accountable - and reduce cyberbullying through new legislation.
My new position has put me in a public light, and I plan on using it to help others. I am contacted on a regular basis from victims of the Internet harassment as well as many media outlets. This is now a topic that is not going away anytime soon.
Visit my Podcasts on E-Venge.
My official website is http://www.suescheff.com/
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sue Scheff: Internet Safety Comes First - Free Speech Doesn't Condone Defamation
It seems the more vocal you become, the more you are attacked.I know that is true in my case, but it won't stop me from working towards change in the Internet World where people think Free Speech has no limits.
I am a firm believer in Freedom of Speech - I fought and won two jury trials in regards to this very subject. Now I will continue to make positive changes within the Cyberspace community.
More and more attorneys are becoming familiar with the laws and the laws that need to catch up with the change. More and more lawyers are offering to take these cases on contingency - which is a great change.
I recently meet with a Senator and Congresswoman in my state. I feel confident (as they do) that there will be a lot more media attention, legal action and more positive movement in this arena to protect people from becoming caught in the net.
As a victim and survivor of Internet Defamation as well as a focus of some people's obsession, it is all giving me the strength, power and resources to combat people who want to continue their campaign to ruin myself and others, through new legal resources that have opened up with the vast media attention.
Are you being harmed on the Internet by malicious attackers?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Online Profiling: CBC Television Sunday News Magazine
CBC News Television - Sunday Morning News Magazine
How can you fight back when your personal information - whether true or false - ends up on the Internet for everyone to see, like a potential employer, for example? We give you tips on protecting your reputation online.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Colleges, Potential Employers, Future Clients and Networking Sites
We keep hearing about more and more people searching online for background information on potential new employees, college applicants, or if someone is considering using your business for a service or trade.
Parents need to take the time now with their kids to show them what they create on their MySpace profiles, Facebook, Friendster and other Social Networking sites could potentially effect their future.
We, as parents, need to make them aware of what they put on there today - could effect them tomorrow. Of course, kids don’t quite understand that the future comes faster than they can imagine. After-all, in most cases college is years away! (In reality they are only 2-8 years away - which isn’t that far off, but feels like an eternity to a child).
Take the time to offer examples and show how what they may deem as funny today, could potentially cause embarrassment later. Remember, what is posted on the net today - has the potential of staying there forever!
Teaching your kids to make smart online decisions is now part of parenting our kids today. One service I always recommend parents consider, that is very cost effective, is Reputation Defender MyChild. This service helps monitor your child’s activity that is relevant to their name and privacy.
Another article I found to help parents and offer tips is Colleges and Networking Sites by Connect with Kids. Take a moment to check out the Tips for Parents.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sue Scheff Podcasts on E-Venge
I have been on several National Media Shows including 20/20 ABC News i-caught, Fox Morning with Mike and Juliet, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and more on the subject of Internet Defamation and Internet Abuse.
I recently added Podcast's of some of these shows. Click here.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Web Identity Coming Up by Smart Company
New web identity coming up
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Regret that stupid picture of yourself on Facebook?
Worried that a potential employer might find incriminating things about you on the web?
Maybe you need to employ an “identity manager” who will happily wander around the web and erase inaccurate, inappropriate or slanderous information about you.
Already in the US, companies such as Reputation Defender spends its time searching and destroying hurtful and inaccurate information that exists on its clients.
But futurists who predict that the fashion of online exhibitionism will die, when young people looking for jobs realise how damaging it can be, should think again.
What we are likely to see is a new breed of PR advisers who will spend their time creating the internet profiles of business people.
In fact by 2011 technology advice firm Gartner predicts that most people will have digital replicas of themselves for online work and play.
Now just imagine what an identity manager could do with a digital replica – it could take spin to a whole new level.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Regret that stupid picture of yourself on Facebook?
Worried that a potential employer might find incriminating things about you on the web?
Maybe you need to employ an “identity manager” who will happily wander around the web and erase inaccurate, inappropriate or slanderous information about you.
Already in the US, companies such as Reputation Defender spends its time searching and destroying hurtful and inaccurate information that exists on its clients.
But futurists who predict that the fashion of online exhibitionism will die, when young people looking for jobs realise how damaging it can be, should think again.
What we are likely to see is a new breed of PR advisers who will spend their time creating the internet profiles of business people.
In fact by 2011 technology advice firm Gartner predicts that most people will have digital replicas of themselves for online work and play.
Now just imagine what an identity manager could do with a digital replica – it could take spin to a whole new level.
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