FC: What Ninth Circuit libel ruling means for bloggers

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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From: "Xeni Jardin" <xeni () xeni net>
To: "'Declan McCullagh'" <declan () well com>
Subject: Batzel v. Cremers
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 08:14:00 -0700


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http://wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,59424,00.html

Tuesday's court ruling clarifies the reach of the immunity granted by
the CDA to cover noncommercial publishers like e-mail list operators and
others who take a personal role in deleting or approving messages for
online publication.

"Here, the court basically said that when it comes to Internet
publication, you can edit, pick and choose, and still be protected (...)
Some weblogs are interesting mixes of original and forwarded content, so
this issue may come up again in the courts," EFF's Cohn said. "Where
that legal line is drawn may become a point of contention."

Ellen Batzel says the case changed her life.

"This was a small, North Carolina mountain town -- I talked to the
(district attorney) and he said 'Get a dog, get a gun, get a security
system or better yet get out of town.' I sold my house and moved. I've
been hurt in my professional reputation and in my private life.

"I know what free speech is, and I support it, but this is about
invasion of privacy and my civil liberty. Every time I meet someone now,
I have to say, 'Hi, I'm not Himmler's granddaughter."
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