The following references are given as resources which may be of interest. 

News Release Archives

Past events affecting internet free speech

Reference Articles

There are several excellent articles which are reproduced on this site, which contain recent case citings, and which describe the general legal philosophies involved in internet defamation lawsuits. If you are being sued as a “John Doe”, or if you are an attorney representing a defendant in one of these lawsuits, then you should familiarize yourself with these materials.

Federal Judge dismisses internet lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP statute. A federal district court recognizes speech is protected under the First Amendment, that anonymous message boards are in the public interest, and that a public company is a public figure for purposes of Sullivan.

Silencing John Doe - Prof. Lyrissa Lidsky, cited as 49 Duke L. J. 855

Cybersmear - Bill Blum, February 2000 California Lawyer Magazine

The Process that John Doe is Due: Addressing the Legal Challenge to Internet Anonymity - David Sobel, General Counsel, Electronic Privacy Information Center

Informational and Legal Defense Organizations

Public Citizen Litigation Group - A consumer advocacy law firm, Public Citizen Litigation Group has assisted in defenses of various internet legal actions designed to breach the anonymity of online publishers, and has frequently assisted by the filing of amicus curiae briefs in cyber litigation.

Electronic Privacy and Information Center (EPIC) - An excellent source of reference material.  EPIC specializes in electronic privacy research, and publishes many government documents obtained via FOIA.  Has been known to file amicus curiae briefs in some actions.

American Civil Liberties Union - this is the national organization.  There are many local chapters in most major cities. The ACLU can sometimes be helpful in locating pro bono counsel to defend in these types of actions.  We have found that the responsiveness of various ACLU chapters to internet litigation and privacy issues varies widely according to locale.

Electronic Frontier Foundation - Free speech and privacy issues concerning internet and computer software media.  Started as a grass-roots effort, has been known to initiate active public participation in policy campaigns, boycotts, legislative activity, and litigation.

The Rutherford Institute - provides legal support in cases involving First and Fourth Amendment freedoms issues.

Your local state bar office will sometimes maintain a list of attorneys who specialize in internet litigation, and/or who provide pro bono assistance. Do not hesitate to contact us directly if you are having difficulty locating defense counsel in an internet-related “cybersmear” case.

Other Web Sites of Interest

Warning: Some of these sites are maintained by legal professionals who do not necessarily endorse the “John Does” point of view. Other sites are “grass roots” creations of current or former “John Does” defendants in various internet-related actions. (Please let us know of any interesting links or sites that you believe should be added to this list.)  Other links to legal related sites can be found in our “Law Library”

Cyber Securities Law (Blake Bell’s excellent site)
EDS Lawsuits.com
Faegre & Benson: Online Business Defamation: How to respond to “cybersmear”
Findlaw Cyberspace Law Center
Investment Chat Board Lawsuits (Jeff Mitchell’s SI Thread Index)
Perkins Coie Internet Case Digest
Privacy.net
Privacy Times
TheTruthSeeker.com
The Wall Street Jovial
Varian SLAPP Web Site