Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation or SLAPP lawsuits are considered by some, an avenue of censorship or a form of intimidation that attempt to silence critics. These lawsuits are often very controversial and as a result, multiple states have already passed Anti-SLAPP legislation which is aimed at protecting the rights of online users.
But there is then the question that this Anti-SLAPP legislation would present undue barriers to the right to petition for those who sincerely believe they have been wronged?
While there are complex legal questions regarding topics such as jurisdiction, defamation, free-speech, anonymity and many more issues, it is being discussed at length and we at Hedgehog continue to be a participant and active follower of cases such as these. The general rights of online users and the protection of brands for companies we support and maintain infrastructure for can sometimes collide and we want to make sure we are fully informed when supporting or opposing any legislation.
Richard Feller recently attended a question and answer session hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee on Capitol Hill to discuss these questions with thought leaders including our friend and colleague Laurent Crenshaw, the Director of Public Policy at Yelp and Eric Goldman, an Internet Law, Advertising Law & IP Professor at Santa Clara Law. A complete transcript of this session can be found at:
http://www.netcaucus.org/event/frivolous-defamation-suits-vs-online-reviews-gagged-by-the-lawyers/
Thank you for following Hedgehog Technology Services as we continue to support a free and open Internet for all.
