Is slander allowed on the forums?

Is it allowed to post that you "know" that group ABC does evil deed XYZ, while in reality you don't know or even know that what you post is not true?

For example, if Bob does not like Club Bronx, would he be allowed to post the lie that he "know" that all officer of Club Bronx have sold freebie items?

I ask this because I saw somebody post things like this and wonder if I should make forum moderator busy.

i retain the right to slander myself....does that count?

No, it's not slander. Slander is spoken. It would libel.

Then again, is it libellous if it's true?

Nope. If it's true, it's not libel (or slander). (Of course, if it goes to trial, you have to be able to prove it's true.)

I don't know what forum policy is on this matter. I doubt the policy explicitly permits slander. Ideally, the forum is not the place for making accusations about another player at all; filing an abuse report is preferred. Personal attacks usually result in a thread being locked down. People often make assertions about others, though.

Anshe Chung eats kittens!

Devlin poops them!

How many times I gotta tell you folks, cherubs poop gold bars.

Oh, come on, please. I tried get one real answer to my question. Mmmm, is there somebody from Linden Lab who could maybe explain the rules to us for this case?

I love your siggy, Anshe.

It's not libel, if it's true. It goes under the categories of tattal-taling, or whistleblowing, depending on circumstances. I don't think it would be illegal on the forums, and if it is, it probably shouldn't be.

If it's not true, it is libel, and may be intentional or unintenional and due to misinformation. There is no definite punishment for libel on these forums, and I assume that such things would be left to the discretion of the moderators.

Well bidnezz gurl

Another good one, one in which there seems to be no definitive answer. I'm going to assume, dangerous I know *alt=Jonny Dangerous *, that no, you are not allowed to post slanderous, libel, or whatever. Now for something to be slanderous or libel would that not mean that the statement/s made is/are untrue. Now how to "we" know that this is untrue?

Normally I would think that the question must be brought to everyones attention by the individual that claims they have been slandered.

Next I believe, however unfortunate and unfair, the purden of proof would be on the receipiant of said slanderous remarks.

Now who do you go to with said evidence of being slandered?

Ahhh abuse report!!! which I got no knowledge of how this works, never needed it.

Now we are dancing with a different beast. I would assume that this would be nearly your only recourse against said slander, and keep your fingers crossed.

Overall Anshe, I think we all agree that the answer is "NO". Without definative "law" being dictated, we only have our own conduct to regulate such an active as slanderous posts. And without mutual respect and consideration for each other here in SL this will always be a problem. This is where we humans must beg to be governed because we are not all mature and openminded enough to try to resolve our issues and differences in an adult manner. (not a plug for SL "government", just maybe a little more attentiveness, and clarification, to the rules and regs that have already been set forth.

Anshe, we have been trying for over a week for them to explain it to us, mind you, they might actually answer you

I hope they do... should be interesting reading... but what will prolly happen is you will get flamed in your own thread, and it will close... end of..

Willow your so right lol

Anshe can't post anything without getting flammed. Why are the peopel who flame constantly allowed to continue to post? I typically see the SAME people flamming and not only do they flame, but they offer no real input which makes thier statements just harassment.
I think making false statements would have to be proved or pointed out to a linden specifically. They would have to know themselves that it (the statement) was false. Something that you might be better off just telling the posted group about, and let them handle it themselves - unless its your group. Then you should report them and thier statement to be investigated by LL and hopefully removed with them being sent a formal forum warning.

Lindens are nearly omnipotent in SL, but not omniscient.

Haha.

Anshe,

Libel is a very difficult thing to prove often times, and there is very little precedent regarding online worlds. The case would be clearer if statements were made damaging you personally, not a character you play in a game, that caused harm to a real world business, as opposed to a virtual business selling virtual property for virtual money. Even though ultimately that money can be converted to real currency, for sake of legal argument, it is on pretty weak ground.

For libel to be proven, and to withstand the defense, the statements must be patently false and not just an opinion (this is where the grey area of libel comes in). For example, expressing the opinion that someone is mean, or untruthful would be nearly impossible to pursue libel on. Unless you have never told a lie in your life or uttered a harsh word to anyone, the statement is not patently false.

Linden Lab's handling of what could be considered libel has been inconsistent, which is not their fault. It is very difficult to indentify, and is normally handled by their locking threads and editing particularly aggregious posts, though they often miss things from one thread to the next. As you know, that does not always work. Ultimately, the only person who can decide what constitutes true libel is a judge. There have been cases of posters being sued over message board postings, but they have rarely prevailed. It is particularly complicated for you not being in the US, that adds a further grey area to the mix.

ok, so is calling cristiano an unmitigated bore, slander or libel?? (refer to his last post to judge the truth of this statement)

just asking here

marilyn

LOL slander is spoken Marilyn. I love you too. I do believe you are flirting with me

^ You could say that. And it would be up to Cristiano to "prove" otherwise.
How do you do this? Character witnesses, statements from "professionally recognized" boredom analylists to dispute the "fact" of your statement and thier findings to the contrary, proving that Cris is "Mr. Excitement".

See the difficulties here?

So again, No, you can't post libel statements.

If you do......

Well.. uh.. No, you can't post lib.... uh

The key here is not if you are "allowed" to do this, but moreover, what is done if you do?

Which at this time, this subject, does not seem to be a priority for LL.

She has a Siggy? I thought I was a rare commodity...

SOMEONE IS CLONING ME!!!! STOP TO SELL SIGGIES IN A BOX!!!!

All I know is that I have learnt something very important from these forums:



I believe it mentioned that one day the Antichrist would come and would bring evil and the end of the world.

Note: it mentions ONE Antichrist

In these forums, I have learnt that there is not one but two!



May there be mercy on our souls....

- T -

Slander isn't allowed anywhere. You could try simply sending a supoena and you'd see things change pretty fast.

I think it has also been mentioned before that both parties must admit their rl identies in order to pursue libal, slander etc. as in suing. There is some protection by the Lindens, as legal matters are not something they wish to partake in. At least that was the case when I brought up something simular recently.

Catherine

The lindens are not liable(at least I hope not, IANAL..) but they would have to give up credit card receipts, etc if a supeona was issued.

I dont see that happening. Not over a he said she said pissing contest hell I know someone who was ripped off big L$ which equate to US$ and they only moderated that situation. They did not return funds the parties had to work it out themselves so buyer beware.

Cat