Slander/libel

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Microsoft, Aug 7, 2006.

  1. #1
    Me and my friend laughed when this kid called complaining about this page:

    www.extremebumming.com/derek.html

    He said he had it printed and was taking it to the police station complaining. Is that slander when it's in a song? Should I be worried?

    Discuss...
     
    Microsoft, Aug 7, 2006 IP
  2. Reuben

    Reuben Peon

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    #2
    I'm not sure I'm with you on the question. I assume the target of the song is this person called Derek, and I assume it is Derek who is going to the police? I apologise for not understanding fully straight away.
     
    Reuben, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  3. HanSolo42

    HanSolo42 Peon

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    #3
    Well, it doesnt matter if he is going to the police. This is a civil matter.
     
    HanSolo42, Aug 9, 2006 IP
  4. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #4
    Just because it's in a song doesn't make it not slander / libel. It comes down to a lot of things, like whether the person posting / writing that knows it to be false, whether they're doing it with malice, and whether it actually hurts the person's reputation. What they wrote really isn't an opinion or general commentary... it's stating something that could be taken as fact (the kid is anorexic). So if it's a lie and hurts him in some way, he certainly has grounds to try and make a case. But as someone else said, it's not really a criminal issue, so going to the police wouldn't help him.

    Jenn
     
    jhmattern, Aug 14, 2006 IP