2 ms·
I figure eventually we'll have to deal with lawsuits from monied interests as a very real threat to freedom of speech. The ability to sue anyone for anything a
by noonespecial 14y ago
I figure eventually we'll have to deal with lawsuits from monied interests as a very real threat to freedom of speech.
The ability to sue anyone for anything at any time will become mutually exclusive with the right to speak publicly without fear of government enforced persecution. We'll have to look at our founding principles and decide what's most important to us. The current patent mess does not leave me optimistic.
- michaelfeathers 14y agoI agree. We need to recognize that increased efficiencies in personally-initiated communication are tearing apart the old truce between personal and commercial interests.
- fsaintjacques 14y agoAmericuh©, land of the free™ (* conditions apply). *Free speech does not apply in any oversea detention facility or if you can't pay the 'lawyer-up' protection fee.
- leephillips 14y agoEventually? That, or the threat of it, is the daily reality if you write or publish, and has been since long before there was an internet. The libel suit against me (http://www.credentialwatch.org/legal/null.shtml http://www.credentialwatch.org/legal/null.shtml) was as frivolous as they come, but that didn't mean it wasn't a major disruption. It can happen to anyone: the complaint against me cited comments on websites like this one as well as my actual articles. Another comment mentioned SLAPP: only some states have SLAPP legislation. Generally, no matter how frivolous the action, you still need to defend against it in court, and that is a major project that will displace much of what you'd rather be doing (unless you are very wealthy). You convolve three separate things: legal persecution by private parties, government persecution, and the patent system.