[WikiEN-l] Libel ruling in California court and its impact on Wikipedia

[Keith Old]

G'day Folks,

The BBC reports that the California Supreme Court that bloggers and ISPs
cannot be sued for posting defamatory statements by third parties.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6167930.stm

*Bloggers and US internet providers cannot be liable for posting defamatory
comments written by third parties, the California Supreme Court has ruled. *

It followed the case of San Diego woman sued after posting allegedly
libellous comments online about two doctors.

Some of the internet's biggest names including Google, eBay and Amazon have
supported a woman in a US legal battle that may save them from libel cases.

The judges said the ruling would protect freedom of expression.

More in story.

I wonder what implications this has for Wikipedia. Of course, we should have
strong guidelines regarding living people in any case.

Regards



*Keith Old*