Opposition Research Done on Bloggers in VA

This post on http://www.shaunkenney.com/ is not necessarily about the law of blogging, but it does go to make the point that blogs and blog law is a rapidly developing field. As more political candidates do opposition research on bloggers this area of weblog law will become more and more important. Please take the time to read this article and really think about it.

Weblog Law Exclusive - Update on Chapman Defamation Suit

Prince William County – Weblog Law has an exclusive update on Steve Chapman's suit against Black Velvet Bruce Lee and Greg Letiecq.  Mr. Letiecq tells Weblog Law, “I really don't have any update for you beyond what has already been reported. . . . As far as I can tell, Mr. Chapman has no intention of dropping his lawsuit despite the negative publicity it has caused him.”  We will continue to keep you updated.

Blog Sued for Defamation Because it Distracted Candidate

Prince William County – Former 50th District of Virginia House of Delegates candidate Steve Chapman is suing an anonymous blogger, Black Velvet Bruce Lee, and Greg Letiecq, a blogger who took over Black Velvet Bruce Lee and started Black Velvet Bruce Li.  Black Velvet Bruce Lee disappeared and dropped his site and email address.  No one knows or is willing to admit who he/she is.  According to MannassasJM.com:

Steve Chapman has had enough. After threatening Internet bloggers with litigation, the former political candidate took action.
He filed a $200,000 lawsuit against the bloggers for attacking his character on the Web journal, Black Velvet Bruce Lee.
Chapman, 28, is suing for defamation, libel, slander, insulting words and intentional infliction of emotional distress. . . .
Chapman had announced earlier this year that he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 50th District House of Delegates.
He became disqualified after he missed the deadline to file and blamed the blog controversy for distracting his campaign.
Chapman said he had no choice but to proceed with the lawsuit since "Black Velvet Bruce Lee" accused him of being a high school dropout among a slue of other allegations.

The suit was filled in early June 2006 and is currently pending.  More can be found on Black Velvet Bruce Lee.  I will continue to follow this story as it develops.  This could be very important to bloggers in the Virginia, especially this campaign season.

Ex-Foley Page Threatens to Sue Blogger

The House Page, Jordan Edmund, exposed in the Mark Foley scandal is threatening to sue ABC and William “Wild Bill” Kerr, the Blogger who revealed his identity.  The webmaster for Passionate America found the actual name of the Page imbedded on a non-linked page on ABC’s website.  Passionate America then took this information and posted in on the site.  (More on what happened can be found on the Drudge Report.)  Foley’s Ex-Page now threatens to sue the Blogger for posting his identity and ABC for having his name online at all.  The actual post and the initial letter from Jordan Edmund’s lawyer can be found on Passionate America.  More on this possible suit and the legal implications for bloggers as this story develops. . .

Defamed, Just Comment

Last year the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that those offended or defamed by a blog had recourse outside of the court system.  It ruled that such a person could post a comment on the blog.  This report is according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN.  This type of ruling is one that will make most bloggers sleep a little better at night.