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Keeping a Chill Out of Web Chat Rooms

Date: November 27, 2000
Author: Mike France
QUOTE: Civil rights groups worried that companies will stifle free speech online with suits against anonymous critics take heart from a recent case

ABSTRACT: Corporations are attempting to sue anonymous critics who spread lies and rumors on financial message boards such as those run by Yahoo! and America. These lawsuits often result in anonymous critics being identified before they even know that they’re being prosecuted. Civil rights groups believe that "John Doe" defendants should be able to make a motion for summary judgment, to prove that the defamation suit is frivolous, before their identity is revealed. This article examines the controversy.

--- Emily Beck

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