Copyright Infringment Lawyer, Internet Defamation, and Internet Privacy

Ripoff Report pulled in as part of a Criminal Investigation

Note: The prosecuting attorney has dismissed all charges against Darren Meade as part of the ongoing saga related to Tracey Richter (updated July 17, 2015).  No charges were filed against Ripoff Report or any of its owners or employees.

It is reported that Darren Meade is alleged to have published the harassing and defamatory accusations about State’s witnesses at the direction of Tracey Richter and Anna Richter, Tracey Richter’s mother, by posting them as ‘complaints’ on www.ripoffreport.com.  It is suspected that Darren Meade had hoped to use these defamatory postings to collect money from those defamed by charging them and other customers for the removal of such slanderous postings on the website. 

Below are some of the quotes taken from the Search Warrant Affidavit submitted by SAC County attorney to obtain evidentiary items that were in the possession of Anna Richter.  It is believed that such information and evidence is now being used to file charges of conspiracy in connection with the 2011 murder trial of Tracey Richter, who was the ex-wife of one of Ripoff Report’s most vocal critics – Michael Roberts: 

Online Defamation through Consumer Reporting Websites

There are several websites on the internet that allow individuals to report information regarding poor services, misconduct of actions by others or for providing unsatisfactory goods.  One such website, RipoffReport.com, has currently been in the news because a family member of convicted murderer Tracey Richter was using RipoffReport.com to defame the reputations of witnesses by providing statements to Ripoff Report that these people were guilty of perjury, fraud, child molestation, murder and terrorism, which was then posted on Ripoff Report’s website.  RipoffReport.com is claiming that they are not responsible for any inaccurate statements that users post on their website. 

It is being reported that many of these statements are false and are tarnishing the reputations of these individuals and/or their businesses.  If a lawsuit is filed, someone could be held responsible of internet defamation for the posting of false and damaging statements about these individuals.  However, if RipoffReport.com did not screen the posts, invite additional offensive postings, elaborate with their own comments, and/or call upon others to respond in kind, then they could be viewed as not being responsible for any internet defamation on their part pursuant to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), thereby leaving those individuals that posted these online statements as the responsible party for online defamation.

If you find yourself the victim of online defamation that is causing irrefutable harm to your reputation, business and/or brands, the highly experienced internet defamation attorneys can help you protect your reputation on the internet. 

What Can I Do About Defamation of Character on the Internet?

My name is Enrico Schaefer, welcome to Defamation Law Radio. We get this question a lot “What can I do about defamation of character on the internet?”  When you believe you’ve been defamed online, there are a number of different strategies that you can put in place in order to try and either minimize the problem or resolve the problem, but the variables are extensive. 

Internet defamation comes in so many different forms and in so many varieties.  It is propagated across so many types of websites.  So, if you have been the victim, or you believe you’ve been the victim of internet-based defamation of character, the first thing you need to do is do a proper assessment of your situation. 

Doctor Defamation: Taking Down Internet Libel & Protecting A Physician's Reputation

Internet defamation attorneys Brian A. Hall and Enrico Schaefer of Traverse Legal, PLC discuss what doctors, lawyers and other professionals should do if someone says or posts something derogatory about them or their business online.

1.  Defamation against Doctors and other professionals is rampant. There is a balance between having a thick skin and protecting you on-line reputation.

2.  Blog posts, comments and doctor review web sites make posting false information as easy as hitting "submit"

3.  A false statement of fact - internet defamation - can cost a doctor or physician big time.  A professional's prime asset is their reputation.

4.  Every doctor should be doing the following things to protect against internet libel and defamation.

    a. Make sure you register domain names and social media vanity URLs incorporating the doctor's name, and variations.

    b. Monitor the internet for problems. Top web sites and doctor rating sites for defamation on the internet include Yelp, ComplaintsBoard, RipOffReport, Google Places listing, DoctorScorecard.com, angieslist.com, ratemds.com, vitals.com, haelthgrades.com

    c. Develop a strategy to deal with false allegations about physicians when problems arise.  An internet lawyer knows how to deal with these problems, strategies for having content removed, posts deleted and potentially removed from the search engines such as Google Yahoo and Bing.

Internet Defamation and Libel Tips for Doctors, Lawyers and other Professionals

Perhaps the most vulnerable people to the phenomena of internet defamation and internet libel are professionals.  If you are a doctor, lawyer, accountant, physician, or other professional dealing directly with consumers, your online reputation is always at risk.  Posting defamatory comments on the internet is as easy as opening a web browser, navigating to a website and entering, and writing a comment or post as an anonymous user.  All too often, the information posted on the internet is factually wrong and diminishes the professional’s reputation.  Here are some tips to protect your online reputation in the Internet Era:

Sue For Defamation of Character and Risk Making Matters Worse?

Defamation of character update:

"Sue for defamation of character" is a common request by clients seeking representation for false and defamatory Internet content, a post, a comment or web site. But filing a defamation or libel lawsuit is more often the last step, rather than the first. Anit-SLAPP laws provide for attorney fees against the Plaintiff if the defamation of character claim does not meet minimum requirements. The Internet can turn against you quickly multiplying one defamatory statement into dozens of publications. Suing for defamation of character is something you may HAVE to do.  But solving the problem without a lawsuit is almost always preferable.

An experienced Defamation / Libel attorney knows that the first step is to assess the claims, get the facts and provide advice to the client on how to proceed.  "Can I sue for defamation of character?" is the first question you should ask your lawyer.  The second step is often a request to the web site host, author of the libelous statement or web site owner, to remove the content. Often times, the web site Terms of Service (TOS) prohibit defamatory statements and the operator of the site will be willing to remove the content upon proposer request, complete with documentation establishing that the statements are false or that the author is not who they say they are.

Before suing for defamation of character, make sure you and your lawyer fully understand the facts and the law. Don't let emotions get the best of you.  Make an informed business decision based on solid legal advice.

Internet Defamation Lawyer | Should I Sue for Defamation of Character?

Before you sue for defamation…many clients who are the victims of defamation of character on the internet ask whether or not they should sue for defamation? 

As with most other areas of law, the first task of an experienced internet defamation lawyer is to perform an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances for each individual client.  No two on-line defamation issues are the same. 

An Internet Defamation Attorney Discusses Online Libel Law Issues

Internet Defamation Attorney Enrico Schaefer of Traverse Legal, PLC discusses what you should do if someone says something derogatory about you or your business online.

• The first thing you have to do is identify who the person is that posted the derogatory or defamatory statement.
• Identify the registrant of the domain name. 
• See if you can determine whether or not the registrant of the domain name is the same person who is operating the website

Announcer:  Welcome to Internet Law Radio.  This program is brought to you by Traverse Internet Law, when you need an internet attorney for the internet age. 

Enrico Schaefer:  Welcome to Internet Law Radio.  This is Enrico Schaefer, and I’ll be your host.  Today we’re talking about the specialized issue of internet defamation of character, also known as internet libel or internet slander.

What happens when someone says something derogatory about you or your business online?  What happens when that derogatory statement - that defamatory statement, that defamation of character - states a false allegation against you; a false statement of fact?  How is it that you handle that situation and how do courts handle online or internet defamation issues? 

Statute of Limitations for Internet Slander Cases | Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

What is the statute of limitations for defamation?

I am an internet defamation attorney.  Every day. I get calls and emails from average people and companies who are defamed on-line with false statements on a web site, blog post or comment somewhere on the internet. Often, it is a disgruntled employee, competitor or adversary who decides to engage in defamation on the internet in order to achieve pay-back or retribution for some perceived grievance.

One of the first questions an attorney will ask is "when was the defamatory statement posted on the internet?" While there are sometimes exceptions, the general rule in most states is that you have one year to bring a lawsuit for defamation from the date of publication. The statute of limitations for internet defamation, libel, or slander cases in most states is one year. While the discovery rule and "re-publication" of the post or comment can extend the statute of limitations is some circumstances, you need to contact a defamation lawyer to understand how long you have to file a claim for libel in court before your time runs out. Continue reading to see the statute of limitations period for each state, including California, Texas, New York, Florida, Michigan and other states.

Internet Defamation Attorney Discusses How To Protect Against Online Slander

Internet Defamation affects more people than just about any other on-line issue, beyond privacy concerns.  As an internet defamation attorney, I get calls and emails every day from people who have been defamed on-line, either on a bulletin board post, blog post, user generated blog comment, FaceBook post, Twitter post or other review web site comment. Their reputation has been attacked and the web page with the defamatory content is being returned as a high search engine result.  Their business associates, competitors, neighbors, church congregation, employees and friends need only Google "their name" or their "company name" to be exposed to hurtful, false and defamatory statements.  An online defamation attorney knows all too well how difficult it is for clients when the internet spews libelous content for everyone to see.  Here are some things you need to know and understand before you decide to sue for defamation, slander, or libel: