Unhappy postings

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Richard Levine

Claude your idea for a webmaster-supervised complaint section could be very problematic in relation to potential libel suits.

Libel in cyberspace gets very interesting, because the first battle is usually one over jurisdiction. That fight alone can cost a fortune, before you even get to hear the libel case.

Libel laws of course differ from one country to the next. The UK's libel laws are quite archaic and favour the plaintiff even when what was said was actually true. Whereas in many other parts of the world unless the plaintiff can prove that what has been said was untrue, they are unlikely to win the case.

In the case of a British manufacturer, being criticised by a Belgian customer, on a self moderated web forum based in Australia, with an international audience, and the forum sits on a server leased by a Pty Ltd company, the mind boggles at the possibilities!