For Immediate Release: August 13, 2003:

Federal Judge Throws Out Golf Entertainment (GECC) Lawsuit

An Arkansas federal judge has dismissed the so-called internet defamation lawsuit brought by Golf Entertainment (GECC) against several John Does, news reporters, the Arkansas Securities Commissioner, and others.  Anonymous Internet Foundation has also learned that the lawyer representing GECC, John Dodge, a former municiple court judge, is under investigation by the Arkansas judicial counsel for ethics violations.

The judge in the case complained that the lawsuit was so poorly written and drafted, that he dismissed the case on the court’s own motion. At one point during the case, Dodge attempted to subpoena online records regarding over 100 individuals who post on Lycos’ Raging Bull message board service.  Raging Bull refused to respond to the Dodge’s subpoena after opposition to the subpoena was raised by Anonymous Internet Foundation (AIF) to Lycos’ legal department.

AIF is a non-profit organization which supports free speech on the internet. For more information, contact the foundation at jdaf@johndoes.org.