Overview
Kentucky Internet Libel Lawyers
As blogging, social networking and similar online activities have expanded, it has become commonplace for Internet users to post negative comments and/or misinformation on the Web about businesses. This type of activity can damage a company's reputation greatly, causing significant business losses.
The Kentucky law firm of McBrayer is one of the few area law firms equipped to provide targeted, strategic advice to companies about whom defamatory remarks are posted online. Our attorneys thoroughly understand the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy online reputation. Our firm is committed to offering clear insight and building a realistic online reputation management strategy to combat negative campaigns against businesses in Kentucky and throughout the nation.
Examples Of Internet Defamation
Generally speaking, defamation means issuing a false statement about a person or entity, which causes harm to the reputation and/or business interests of the defamed person. Defamation can take the form of slander (unrecorded, spoken defamation) or libel (defamation in a fixed medium, such as print or video). Most Internet defamation cases will involve libel. Some examples include:
- Making false accusations about a product or service
- Former employees blogging about their former employer in a defamatory way
- Dissatisfied customers posting defamatory statements on Yelp, Citysearch and other business-rating websites
Defamation left unchecked can threaten the viability of even an established business. Our legal team is highly skilled in Internet and media law, and we are dedicated to protecting the online interests of our clients.
Seeking Practical Solutions
The laws concerning defamation, especially online, are complex due to the intersection of long-standing legal principles with the First Amendment and with technological proliferation. The best course of action for a business will vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the case. Some disputes may be resolved by means of a letter from our office to the website owner demanding that the defamatory content be removed. In other cases, it may be appropriate to file a lawsuit to uncover the identity of the poster. Because of the anonymous nature of many Internet postings and the protections afforded to Internet Service Providers and Web hosts by the Communications Decency Act, it may not be economically feasible or wise to pursue a lawsuit of this nature.
Our attorneys have established a reputation for providing honest, practical advice. If the potential benefits of a lawsuit do not outweigh the costs, we advise our clients accordingly and pursue creative alternative resolutions to have the defamatory statements removed from the Web.
Take The First Step To Success
To discuss Internet defamation and the options that may exist to resolve your case and protect your business, contact our law firm online. With law offices in Lexington and Louisville and a government relations practice in Frankfort with a presence in Washington, D.C., we serve clients throughout Kentucky and the United States.
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News & Insights
Articles
- March 2015
- Fines For Less-Than-Flattering Reviews?September 2014
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Who We Serve
McBrayer stays on the cutting edge of media, internet, and technology issues despite an ever-evolving tech environment. Our attorneys work with employers of all types and sizes as well as individuals assessing legal risks of use of various forms of media and technology. Our services focus on both the internal and external use of media and technology.
Internal management of media and technology includes review and assessment of IT policies, employment policies (including employee use of social media), media relations policies, and intellectual property policies as those apply to the use of media and technology. We also conduct general Internet law compliance reviews of our clients' websites and wireless websites.
With respect to external, i.e., client-focused use of media and technology, we craft terms and conditions of use, privacy policies and other key website agreements. We can also assist clients in crafting a broad range of Internet and wireless content licenses and distribution agreements, both relating to the original content of our clients and to third-party or user-generated content that our clients license and distribute.
We also assist clients with cybersquatting matters, domain disputes, domain theft or "hijacking," and legal services related to the management of domain name portfolios, and take quick and decisive action for clients facing false Internet advertising by their competitors.
We assist clients in identifying and aggressively pursuing those responsible for hacking, theft of data, cyber-trespassing, and other forms of unauthorized access to computers and networks, whether by a competitor, an ex-employee or a data thief.
Finally, we represent clients in a variety of defamation and speech matters, including defamatory posts on social media and retail and restaurant review site, as well as and many different types of business defamation and trade libel disputes.
Who do we serve? Our attorneys represent individuals and businesses involved in every industry, whether a small family-owned business or a corporation on the Fortune 500 list. Our clients operate within many fields, including: health care, hospitality financial services, education, commercial real estate, manufacturing, physical therapy, retail establishments, agriculture, telecommunications, and construction. They all have legal issues related to the internet and emerging media and communication technologies. Whether you are an individual defamed on a social media site or a multimillion dollar business with cloud computing and domain name ownership issues, our lawyers can address the full spectrum of your internet and technology law questions and needs.
