Student Blogger Loses Defamation Case

An anonymous reader writes to tell us about Yaman Salahi, a UC Berkeley student and blogger, who lost a lawsuit brought against him by Lee Kaplan, a journalist for FrontPageMag.com. Kaplan had sued Salahi in California small claims court for tortious business interference and libel, in response to a blog Salahi had set up about him called "Lee Kaplan Watch." Salahi lost in small claims court and then lost an "appeal" — which is essentially a retrial by another small-claims judge. No written opinion was offered with either decision, though all other court filings are available. From Salahi's update on his blog: "...because [Kaplan] sued me in small claims court, I did not have the protections of the anti-SLAPP [Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Policy] statute... I will never know why I lost the initial hearing, or why I lost the appeal, because small claims judges are not obligated to release written opinions with their rulings.... I will never have the opportunity to take this to a real appellate court where my first amendment rights might be protected."

Re:From his site

[Henry V .009]

Yes I consider it a legal mistake. Not contacting a lawyer is the most basic legal mistake there is.

Re:I have a tag suggestion

[Anonymous Coward]

What do you mean? This is clearly news of astounding, ground breaking importance to geeks everywhere. Are you implying that it may simply be a boring column-inch whine-fest of a petty dispute between a college kid and a hack that no one cares about? Do you wish to imply this isn't of any interest what-so-ever to any geek, being as it doesn't relate to IT or any other geeky pursuit at all, other than the libel was committed "online" in a "blog". Don't you know that if it it happens on the internet, it must be Slashdot worthy news?

Sir! I am ashamed. Slashdot is the premier place to discuss law, your "rights" (Apparently of the "online" variety, but the "offline" rights get just as much coverage), politics and flame-fests.

Slashdot: abandoning it's core readership since 1999!

Re:Bizarre Subject for Slashdot

[Anonymous Coward]

MSTCrow5429 wrote:
>
> Yaman Salahi is a de facto supporter of terrorism

You mean he voted for Bush?

Re:From his site

[digitig]

"One lawyer in a town starves to death. Two lawyers in a town live in luxury."

Re:I don't think so.

[ConceptJunkie]

I wanted to say, "An ad hominem attack is likely to be a tort. If it was an ad homonym attack, it's likely to be a torte." But that's a homophone.

Re:From his site

[Actually, I do RTFA]

Sir, based upon your post, which I took as legal advice absent any statement to the contrary, I opened up a private medical practice in my home. Now, I have been arrested by the police for impersonating a doctor.

I trust that I will be compensated by you for this in some way.

Re:Counterstrike? NOPE - waived

[Kierthos]

I live in the Columbia area of SC

I'm.... I'm so sorry. That's a horrible place to live. I should know.

Re:Moderated Informative - you've got to be kiddin

[madcow_bg]

No, I am doing very well, owning homes. Much more than you could understand. I own several homes in central FL, the prices of the homes are from $280,000 to $550,000. I guess by "adults" you mean "dicks that don't care about a human family"? Sorry, I am not a dick like you. If I lose $5,000 on the price of a home, but a good family is able to move in, I am happy. However, I am sure a dick like you would rather pocket that extra $5,000. Oh, well, there are dicks in this world and I am sure you are proud to be one.

If you're so happy with you decision, quit bitching 'bout it!

Re:From the horse's mouth

[Troed]

How would you like to own a GODDAMN QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS?

That would be fine, thankyouverymuch!