Judge Orders Google to Identify 'Skanks' Blogger
Well, Miss Cohen has succeeded. According to the Telegraph, the Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Joan Madden ordered Google on Monday to hand over the blogger's e-mail and IP addresses. Google gave the information to Cohen's lawyers, who plan to sue the blogger for defamation.
In court, Anne Salisbury, the lawyer representing the blogger, accused Cohen of simply trying to attract publicity, not repair her reputation, since the blog was not widely known until she attempted legal action.
Cohen told 'Good Morning America' on Wednesday that the blogger was a former acquaintance. She said, "Thank God it was her... she's an irrelevant person in my life. She's just somebody that, whenever I would go out to a restaurant, to a party in New York City ... she was just that girl that was always there." Cohen went on to tell Diane Sawyer that she called the blogger and said, "I just want you to know that if I've ever done anything to you to actually deserve this then I'm really very sorry. I'm sincerely apologetic." The model told the New York Post that the blogger was a bit tongue-tied during the call, responding with "Um, um, um," after being confronted. While Cohen still plans to sue, she may reconsider if the blogger offers an apology.
This is a case that many, especially privacy experts, will be watching closely, now that Google has been ordered to divulge the identity of a customer. If simply calling Cohen a "skank" online is ruled to be defamation, it may open the door for more litigation against the hordes on Facebook, Twitter, and the like who loudly hurl insults at celebrities and one another. In fact, if simply calling someone a name on the Internet is grounds for legal action, some of the commenters on this site are guilty of defamation. But don't worry, we won't be taking legal action against you, no matter how many times you call us stupid, ignorant, or things that we can't repeat. [From: Telegraph, NY Post, ABC News, and CNN]
Busted... by Technology
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Gary Walker, an Ohio resident, stole a woman's phone while she had temporarily stepped out of her car to check a street sign. He proceeded to snap a shot of himself with the hot phone's camera. Later, when the victim went online and downloaded her data to transfer it to a new phone, Gary's mug popped up. The rest, as they say, is history.
HighTube
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Teen Arrested After Bragging About Arson on Security Cameras
A pregnant Los Angeles teen was arrested earlier after allegedly starting seven fires near her home. 19-year-old Amanda Gessner was caught after convenience store cameras caught her chanting, "The fire company is gonna be
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Would-Be Voyeur Puts Spy Cam in Restroom, Leaves Video of Himself
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Forklift Tricks on YouTube
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Laser Pointer Shenanigans
Remember those time-sucking high school pep rallies where some loser would whip out a laser pointer and temporarily blind people in the bleachers? This 15-year-old genius from California, was arrested after shining his laser beam at a police helicopter.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
sandy said 11:12AM on 8-20-2009
your an idiot so is the freedom of speech?????
To call you an idiot even if I am not sure you are one? DO YOU GET IT? FREEDOM OF SPEECH HAS TO DO WITH THE TRUTH AND IF IT IS NOT THE TRUTH THAN IT IS SLANDER. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE LAW READS ON SLANDER IDIOT?
Mobile Phone Diva said 11:13PM on 8-19-2009
I hope there was actually more serious stuff on there than just that comment. Like perhaps the embarrassing, personal photos may have been invasion of privacy or something. And perhaps some real lies were posted. Otherwise the judge SHOULD NOT have made Google turn over any info for someone posting an opinion!
We may not have the full story.
Reply
carolinablend said 1:20PM on 8-20-2009
Why? Why should the judge not have made Google turn over the name of the blogger? Why do you believe it is o.k. for a person to hide behind the law and throw firebombs at one another? To you, being called "skanky" may not be very hurtful but to another person it may very well be. Either way, if the intent is to hurt someone then why is it o.k. to let that person hide behind the law like a coward and hurl insults.
Mobile Phone Diva said 7:54PM on 8-21-2009
carolinablend, the blogger posted an OPINION. Like it or not, you can't sue people for their bad opinions of you. Now if they're harrassing you online and posting lies, that's another story.
Mikee said 10:48AM on 8-27-2009
carolinablend has a problem with the First Amendment. Please, forgive her stupidity.
Brian said 8:56AM on 8-20-2009
If these details are correct, I wish I were the blogger. He'll probably be able to sue the government for tens, possibly hundreds of thousands. Talk about a load of bull!
Reply
poot said 9:25AM on 8-20-2009
lol... you're not TOO stupid, are you? And just what are you going to sue the government for, since this is between two private individuals? Lawyers love to represent idiots like you as long as you pay up front... sure, gimme $5000, I'll rep you--two hours work, I walk into court, the judge throws out the case. Easy money, made off of a total fool.
sgentilejr said 12:22AM on 8-20-2009
I have no idea if she is a skank or not, but I seriously doubt she has a leg___________ to stand on in court. Only the lawyers involved here are going to benefit from court actions. The US Constitution does not grant anyone of us a right not to have our feelings hurt, nor any protections from embarrassment, but it does grant us all Freedom of Speech. I have to wonder if Judge Madden was a personal friend of Ms. Cohen.
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poot said 9:42AM on 8-20-2009
You seem pretty confused about reality bubba. You might want to cut back on the drugs and alcohol a bit and pick up a book once in a while.
gd said 11:40AM on 8-20-2009
Your lack of knowledge is pitiful. Your analytical skills are worse. The more likely skank, the blogge,r is rightfully up a certain creek without a paddle.
Mike said 12:21PM on 8-20-2009
PLEASE understand the First amendment - it has nothing to do with this. It is about Government not hindering free speech. You do not have the "right" to say anything you want about anyone, even if its not true.Its the same as people bad mouthing tehir employers on he internet and then scream First Amendment whne they get fired. Its irrelevant.
Kim said 1:04PM on 8-20-2009
Freedom of speech does cover SLANDER, DEFAMATION & other things that she could possibley get this other person on. You need to read up on your history and the things that you blog about BEFORE blogging
RiverLilac said 1:10PM on 8-20-2009
Agreed.
janetedingerj said 6:22AM on 8-20-2009
It was the personal photos. Why do people feel they have the right to steal.......from just anyone they see. What ever happened to privacy?
Reply
beoral2 said 9:27AM on 8-20-2009
As long as one states that the comment is of their opinion, there is nothing the court can do. As they say, "Opinions are like noses, everyone has one, but they are all different". As long as she is in the Public EYE, she is free game, anyone is. Unless the pics are used to advertise, public viewing is permissable.
troy said 6:34AM on 8-20-2009
KarenKelley26...Do you mind if I spread rumors about you across the internet . it actually bothers that girl I dont care who you are or your job or your wealth you diserve the right to privacy you dont need people outside your house or helicopters over head with cameras if all these movie stars were to quit than what would you watch or talk about let them have Privacy and there own lives they arent at your door step
Reply
hg2dean said 6:58AM on 8-20-2009
Well said Troy. There isn't a phonier pose out there than the "I hate Hollywood" post, penned 98% by couch potatoes, and found almost exclusively on gossip pages! It's really depressing.
FRANCISCO said 7:08PM on 8-21-2009
I agree!!
kack said 10:32PM on 8-20-2009
once again you just don't get it!!! SHE is the one putting herself out there. if she wants the hundreds of compliments and the positive attention then too bad she has to expect the negative as well!! sorry i have no idea what dreamland you live in troy but that's reality!! if i were putting myself totally out there looking to be famous and loving the compliments i may get along the way, then oh well i'd have to expect jealous people or maybe people i backstabbed along the way, to say things about me. in a perfect world noone would say anything negative about anyone, BUT in case you haven't figured it out yet this is not a perfect world. so if this girl wants to succeed she had better learn to deal with people like that in a different way. how about "sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me!!" NOONE ever heard of her and her being called a skank, until she brought it to the publics attention. so seriously, get over it, because i personally do not care if she is the biggest skank going, what is annoying is the fact that she wants to be famous but is too much of a baby to deal with the negative that comes along with it!! that is my point!!
liskula said 10:15AM on 9-24-2009
Well it is nice to see that some people get it...
Most don't because hey relish in the gossip...
As for Kack...(and yes it is embarrassing to respond to you because you are clearly illiterate, I hope one day you boss notices that)
But no she does not want to be famous, and she is not a public figure, but she did feel like on line harassment has just gone way too far. How many teenagers in this country have to commit suicide before we all realize there is a serious problem here? The internet was not invented to be used as the wild west. Throwing stones at someone and making false statements about someone is clearly defamatory. So do I think she was 100% right to stand up and protect her name and reputation, absolutely. If you don't think so then I guess I can only hope for you that the same, or worse doesn't happen to you. Do me a favor Google "pedifile" and see how many men are being accused, with no proof or validity. I wonder how that would hurt your reputation? I wonder how much it would bother you if you were no allowed to see your kids because some jealous girl wrote that about you in a blog that just happened to get the attention of your boss... hmmm... food for thought...