Bloggers Facing Growing Risk of Lawsuit, Free Blogging Media Law Class Available
By Tom Chandler on Oct 6, 2008 in Biz Blogs, Blogging, Business of Freelancing
A new NPR podcast covers a topic of interest to at least some of the Underground’s readers - the rising risk of lawsuits aimed at silencing bloggers.
The podcast player should appear below; if not, simply click here and play it via NPR’s page.
One of my ongoing engagement marketing projects is an advocacy site aimed directly at a major multinational corporation - one with a distressing tendency towards intimidation lawsuits.
My background in journalism and prior study of media law means I’m confident I’m not breaking any laws, but that’s small comfort when a multinational’ legal team comes after you simply to shut you up.
There’s even mention of a free, one-hour long media law course for bloggers (developed in conjunction with Poynter), but I couldn’t find a link. Maybe tomorrow.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
That’s pretty scary. That one blogger in Mass should have arranged a meeting at the developer’s offices to sort things out nice and civilly-like — and then tripped on the front door jam walking in. Oops, how much liability do you have on your business insurance…?
About five years ago there were a bunch of cease and desist letters received by businesses all through my hometown, Thunder Bay. Seems that eBay didn’t like the way that we all shorten the name to T-Bay, something we’ve done since the name was born. Had to laugh — this two-year old (or whatever) company trying to tell the citizens of a foreign country what they can and cannot call their city!
If it had been me, I would have given them three words: Come and get me.
(Okay, that’s four. So sue me…)
~Graham
Graham Strong | Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
One good nuisance suit deserves another…
Tom Chandler | Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
Interesting. Lemme know when you get served; it could be a lotta fun.
Kentucky Jim | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply