Disturbing level of hatred

It would be interesting to see a case unfold of libel. I have felt there is no court that would touch a case about someone saying something bad about a in world character. But then I start to wonder what if it were someone like Anshe who makes real money here. If it could be proven that what someone said cost her money that might be something a good lawyer could work with? Of course then it exposes what that person makes and may make for an ugly tax situation if it is found they are not paying them (this is GENERAL not directed at the above example).
As nuts as things are getting 'round here I believe it is just a matter of time before something happens. Maybe that is just another reason LL is washing their hands of the forum. If it is not posted here but is on a third party site they can claim ignorance and zero liability. Maybe that is the biggest motive of all....

Defamation and libel especially are both difficult legal standards to prove. People run around using the word libel (and mistakenly, slander) in these forums a lot, but very rarely does the actual offense rise to the level of true libel that could be proven (and won) in a court of law.

There is also a free speech balance to consider - making moderation rules is not as clear cut as you think. Death threats and rape polls? Hell yes, there should be zero tolerance - the same for the publication of private RL information such as names, addresses, etc. However, where do you draw the line in allowing people to freely speak their minds and express their opinions? It is something that any forum struggles with- if you go too far, you create a chilling effect and limit important speech, and if you don't go far enough, things like this happen.

I dont think an avatar name has the same protection as a human

i could be wrong, but i have heard no precident set

if so, he-who-shall-not-be-named is in big fucking trouble

The she-who-shall-not-be-named could also claim that her SL name is an alias to her RL name. Since it's a real person behind the name. True, libel in this case would depend on the nature of what is being hurled at her, but if she actively particpated in discussing this and hurled insults back at you then she has pretty much voided her claims for libel.

i think a name could be trademarked as a corp, and anshe, for instance could embody any employee of the corp as being a generic "doing business as" type thing, so i think, in cases where someone was a corporation doing business as an avatar and has taken the specific protections needed that corporations use, then i think Libel would be possible

but for Joe666 Newbie who gets burned on teh forums, i dont think you would find a lawyer who would take it, much less a judge

Also in the case of Anshe, she claims her company is based in Hubei, China. In which case, I'm sure she has somehow insulated herself from possible taxation and other claims.

Anyone who has participated in SL related forums for any length of time has seen some pretty nasty interactions between people. It comes with the territory - I suppose it is SL's version of PVP action. However, this morning I saw something that reaches I think one of the lowest points I have seen, and as jaded as I am about forums, really disturbed me.

On a third party forum site, a user posted a clear death threat against MadamG Zagato, warning that if she shows up at the next SLCC she will be shot and asking if anyone wants to help take a stab at her. That alone would have been enough, but a different user (though who knows, they could be the same person) started a poll on the best method to use to rape MadamG, with poll options detailing various ways to rape her.

I don't even have words for how sickening I think this is. No matter how much you may dislike someone, wishing that level of violence on them is pathetic and beyond disturbing. What further blows my mind is people have participated in the threads, adding further insult to injury (and perhaps even guilt by association). These are not harmless posts - people have been stalked, raped and murdered by people who track them down from online.

I notified MadamG because I don't think she reads the particular forums in question. The forum operator has indicated he will cooperate with authorities, so hopefully criminal actions with be pursued against the people who created these posts. How in the hell does it even come to this?

Funny thing is, some of the most hateful and vituperative operators are the ones expressing their "outrage" over this. One wonders -- what if it had been a very unpopular resident? Would they have been as "upset" if someone had said it about Lewis or Prok?.

it makes it very difficult to do so...

But, gee, why does dislike and disagreement give license to threaten or harass?

Anyone who has participated in SL related forums for any length of time has seen some pretty nasty interactions between people. It comes with the territory - I suppose it is SL's version of PVP action. However, this morning I saw something that reaches I think one of the lowest points I have seen, and as jaded as I am about forums, really disturbed me.

On a third party forum site, a user posted a clear death threat against MadamG Zagato, warning that if she shows up at the next SLCC she will be shot and asking if anyone wants to help take a stab at her. That alone would have been enough, but a different user (though who knows, they could be the same person) started a poll on the best method to use to rape MadamG, with poll options detailing various ways to rape her.

I don't even have words for how sickening I think this is. No matter how much you may dislike someone, wishing that level of violence on them is pathetic and beyond disturbing. What further blows my mind is people have participated in the threads, adding further insult to injury (and perhaps even guilt by association). These are not harmless posts - people have been stalked, raped and murdered by people who track them down from online.

I notified MadamG because I don't think she reads the particular forums in question. The forum operator has indicated he will cooperate with authorities, so hopefully criminal actions with be pursued against the people who created these posts. How in the hell does it even come to this?

well i just caught wind of this about 15 minutes ago....and i hope...this will be publicized as much as trying to slander my friend has been.
http://www.sl-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=357

What's up with these adverts, it's quite obvious you are posting that so that people would register for that forum. At least SC has lurker friendly forums.

What's up with these adverts, it's quite obvious you are posting that so that people would register for that forum. At least SC has lurker friendly forums.

You no longer have to register to read the forums at www.sl-forums.com and for the record Asri is not affiliated with that forum other than being a friend...
Also for the record that link clears my name, but ofcourse it isn't drama so you may not be as interested in reading it....

Jesus christ not you advert-girl again. It's girls like you who'd force me to go to SC.

And its people like you that make me thankful to know that there is some where else for you to go so we dont have to deal with ya

Yeah good, and stay there!

Stupid drivel, this is why the forums are closing.
Stfu and talk about the topic on hand.

What's up with these adverts, it's quite obvious you are posting that so that people would register for that forum. At least SC has lurker friendly forums.

good because you are the type of person that is scared by freedom of speech. You have specific points of view and like a fanatic your are totally intolerant of other people's opinions and choices. One reason why I choose to avoid Stratics because you are mod there.

well do what you want...everyone asked fourm owners to to do something and this one did so what does that say about the fourm?....dont ask for it if you dont want to take it for what it is... As far as me advertising...lol hell i barely post here...so little i ended up finding out it was closing at slcc, so as far that goes...do with it as you will. But without trying to give an endorsement as some may think...i dont give a flying farfignewton about that, and its really not the point. The point is my friend is being sent through a witch hunt by a woman that obviously needs help and honestly now worth my breathe so ....again take it as u will ...i have said all i have to say. I thought this was SL not Salem. think for yourselves.

After that save it as a file and go to imageshack.us and upload.