I recently read the article "Web of Lies," written by Jane Kirtley (available at:http://www.ajr.org/article_printable.asp?id=4044). Kirtley discusses one of the conflicts posed by an anonymous web -- that of making parties unable to sue for libel based on defamatory comments posted anonymously online. I think this is somewhat of an interesting topic because of the increasing and recognized credibility of some sources that are available to be edited online (such as Wikipedia). It bothered me to read that something someone posted online could lead to a lawsuit. I did find some solace in the DE high court at least ruling that a potential plaintiff must first try to notify the poster that he intends to seek an order disclosing the poster's identity and give him a chance to oppose it (hopefully anonymously). _ Should a person be protected from all legal action for lying online if they choose to post anonymously?_ I can imagine a situation, as mentioned in the article, where a person's reputation is central to their career. If anonymously fabricated slanderous remarks made online are not legally actionable due to a complete cloak of anonymity for the poster, where does that leave the potential plaintiff? Is society better off leaving politicians and other people in the public sphere with no legal remedy?

I also thought it was noteworthy that Wikipedia is mentioned in the article for removing an entry which sparked a complaint, and for turning over the IP number of the person who had posted it.

-- SamuelDostart - 27 Jan 2013