Section 230 Applies to Publicity Rights Claim–Hepp v. Facebook
Karen Hepp is a TV show host on the Fox 29 channel in Philadelphia. (No “Karen” jokes, please). She claims that “a photograph of her taken by a security camera in a convenience store in New York City was being…
Section 230 Ends Demonetized YouTuber’s Lawsuit–Lewis v. Google
Lewis ran a YouTube channel called “Misandry Today.” Misandry is hatred of men, like misogyny but with reversed genders. I didn’t look at Lewis’ content but I worry that its examples of alleged misandry actually might be presented to advance…
Court Rejects Another Lawsuit Alleging that Internet Companies Suppress Conservative Views–Freedom Watch v. Google
This is one of many “conservative” lawsuits claiming that Internet companies engage in bias and discrimination against them. Though they often blame Section 230 for this allegedly discriminatory behavior, this lawsuit fails without any reference to Section 230 at all….
Trump’s “Preventing Online Censorship” Executive Order Is Pro-Censorship Political Theater
Introduction We all knew the day would come when the Trump Administration would try to censor the Internet. This was inevitable because of Trump’s dictatorial lust, his antipathy towards independent media sources that can hold him accountable for his actions,…
Armslist Wins Another Section 230 Ruling–Stokinger v. Armslist
This case involves the tragic shooting of a police officer. The shooter acquired the gun illegally from a seller who had acquired the gun via Armslist. Among other defendants, the victim sued Armslist for a variety of claims, including negligence….
Another Suspended Twitter User Loses in Court–Wilson v. Twitter
Wilson says he used his Twitter account to express his heterosexuality and Christianity. Twitter suspended the account, allegedly for hateful conduct. Wilson tried creating new accounts but was blocked. Wilson sued Twitter pro se for hundreds of millions of dollars….
Another 512(f) Claim Fails–Ningbo Mizhihe v Doe
The plaintiff is a Chinese vendor that claims copyright in unicorn images (see depictions on the right). The defendants are also vendors using unicorn images. The plaintiff accuses the defendants of infringing the plaintiff’s copyrights. In support of that, the…
Facebook Still Can’t Dismiss Sex Trafficking Victims’ Lawsuit in Texas State Court
Sex trafficking victims sued Facebook and Instagram in Texas state court for their alleged roles in the victimization. The victims’ claims are not FOSTA-based, even though the cases were filed after FOSTA became law. In May 2019, the trial court…
Section 230 Protects Hyperlinks in #MeToo “Whisper Network”–Comyack v. Giannella
This case involves what the defense calls a “whisper network,” described by Wikipedia as “an informal chain of information passed privately between women.” The subject of this whisper network is Comyack, a former bartender in New Jersey. However, the information…
2H 2019 and Q1 2020 Quick Links, Part 4 (Section 230)
* Clarks v. Private Money Goldmine, 2020 WL 949946 (D. Md. Feb. 26, 2020): Plaintiff does contend, however, that Website Defendants are also content providers, and therefore not entitled to immunity in this case, because they published the Listing, provided…