Internet Anonymity in the Maryland Supreme Court
The Maryland Supreme Court is hearing a case that could end anonymity for internet users in the case entitled Independent Newspapers, Inc. v. Zebulon J. Brodie. The Washington Post describes the battle;
The businessman, Zebulon J. Brodie, contends that he was defamed by comments about his shop, a Dunkin’ Donuts in Centreville, posted on NewsZap.com. The shop was described as one “of the most dirty and unsanitary-looking food-service places I have seen.”
The comment was posted in a 2006 exchange among anonymous posters named CorsicaRiver, RockyRacoonMd and others. Brodie is not certain which poster is responsible for that and other remarks that he claims were defamatory, and he has only their screen names. Brodie is demanding that Independent Newspapers Inc., the company that owns the site, divulge the identities of his critics.
A Circuit Court judge in Queen Anne’s County ordered the company to hand over the information.
I guess it’s easier to sue than to get out a mop, bucket and sponge. You can read the briefs from the first decision here.The supposed libelous quote;
The appeal hinges on this quote;
I don’t doubt that Maryland will find a way to end internet anonymity faster than they moved to end slavery in the state.
Category: Politics
Five dollars says that one will eventually hit the Supreme Court if not quashed. It’s way too far-reaching.
SCOTUS, I mean, not the obvious Maryland Supreme Court it’s already at.