While the Web has many benefits, it has unleashed a rash of defamatory content. Many small- and medium-sized businesses and individuals have suffered anonymous attacks on their reputation and good will from defamatory remarks posted on business rating websites.
I am California Internet defamation attorney Erik Syverson. From my law office in Los Angeles, I have handled dozens of Internet defamation cases each year. I understand what you are going through when encountering online business defamation. I am committed to offering clear insight and a realistic online reputation management strategy to combat attacks on your reputation.
I am one of the few lawyers in America who handles Internet law as an experienced litigator and trial lawyer. If you are facing Internet defamation, contact me to discuss your legal options.
Examples of Internet Defamation
Internet defamation can include false or misleading comments about a business on a website like Citysearch or Yelp. An ex-wife may post lies about her husband on a blog. An anonymous person may post false information about your company on a message board. Slanderous content on YouTube and posts on social networking sites, including Twitter, Facebook and MySpace can also cause harm to your reputation.
In some cases, a strongly worded letter will convince the website owner or poster to remove the defamatory content voluntarily. Unfortunately, a defamation lawsuit may be necessary to unmask your cyber attacker(s) and protect your reputation.
Recent Internet Defamation Cases Handled by Erik Syverson in 2010
- Obtained $75,000 judgment on behalf of a business defamed on Ripoffreport.com by an individual poster. Forensic Case Management Services, Inc. v. Cynthia Mickle, Los Angeles Superior Court.
- Pre-litigation confidential settlement obtained on behalf of corporate employee defamed on an Internet blog created by disgruntled ex-boyfriend.
- Confidential settlement obtained on behalf of a plaintiff contractor for Internet defamation and theft of websites by a competitor. Whyte Plumbing, Inc. v. Eweb Nation, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court.
- Representation of a former Cathay Pacific airlines pilot in a defamation case against Cathay Pacific Airlines — one of the largest airlines in the country — and its corporate officers for defamatory statements made in certain Internet postings on the Cathay Pacific Airlines website regarding Mr. Syverson's client.
- Representation of a mother and son defamed repeatedly by way of anonymous Internet message board posts appearing on www.investorshub.com.
- Removal of negative business reviews on www.Yelp.com and www.Citysearch.com.
In the past year, Erik Syverson has fought on behalf of dozens of corporate clients and professionals to remove defamatory, false and unverified negative reviews appearing on a number of review-based websites. Mr. Syverson's clients include doctors, dentists, retailers, financial services professionals, lawyers and accountants, in addition to many other types of businesses.
Fight Defamation by Anonymous Message Posters
One of the biggest barriers from holding people responsible for Internet defamation is that they typically post messages using anonymous e-mail addresses or screen names. Many people who post damaging content online believe that Web anonymity is a free-speech right, or that it makes them immune from prosecution.
As your attorney, I can help you file a John Doe lawsuit and use the subpoena power granted by it to force the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide any information they have about the anonymous poster. By carefully sifting through the often complex data they provide, I can pull information that leads to the next link in the digital chain, then follow the trail of electronic breadcrumbs until the identity of the poster is revealed.
Online Reputation Management: Protect Your Business
All too often, web pages with defamatory comments appear higher in Google rankings than company websites or press releases. Any response you make to the attack is simply drowned out, so you may feel powerless to set the record straight.
Protecting your reputation from new threats requires new tactics. Existing laws can be inadequate or ineffective in combating Internet defamation. Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, ISPs are usually not held liable for the bad behavior of users. However, I can still help you get results by employing certain strategies, including:
- Filing and prosecuting defamation and trade libel lawsuits
- Direct pre-litigation negotiation with websites where defamatory content appears
- Forensic computer techniques to track and locate those attacking your reputation
I have often dealt with the in-house counsel representing large ISPs and websites, and can often contact them directly to move a favorable resolution forward.
I employ tested legal strategies to exert legal pressure upon websites that host defamatory material in an effort to convince such sites to voluntarily remove defamatory content. Even with existing limits on liability for Web hosts and sites, many of them are not anxious to engage in a legal fight to test the protections granted by the Communications Decency Act.
I know the language of the Web and, with my experience in commercial litigation, I know how to use cyber laws and online practices to protect your rights and reputation.
For more information about Internet defamation and online reputation management: Contact me, Los Angeles attorney Erik Syverson, to discuss your case.
