English libel law is a little odd

If I understood a recent article correctly, there are non-resident plaintiffs suing non-resident authors in British courts over books *not* published in the UK simply because libel law in this country is vastly more favourable to the plaintiff!

The obvious question is, what jurisdiction do British judges have to hear the cases? Apparently, it is because publications made overseas "may" become available in the UK either by gift or international sales.

I think one case involved a Saudi sheik (With no apparent UK connection) suing American authors over a book published solely in America as it was available on Amazon.com (NOT Amazon.co.uk). To add to that, supposedly the sheik's complaint would have been laughed out of US courts...

Posted By: Iwan Husarmi on October 20th 2007 at 12:32:28

Message Thread

And seriously folks (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 10:57:06
- ever heard of a group called Marquis de Sade? (n/m) (NCFC) - Dave in France, Oct 20, 14:21:54
- English libel law is a little odd (NCFC) - Iwan Husarmi, Oct 20, 12:32:28
  - Yes, Private Eye has had a couple of articles on this (NCFC) - BerlinCanary, Oct 20, 12:56:20
- Does anyone really think... (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:28:30
  - The law may be an ass (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 11:34:52
    - Careful...the law may spot you've posted that and sue... (n/m) (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:37:55
    - The law... (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:37:41
      - Ignore that post - here it is again more legibly spaced (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:39:14
        
        fair comment would be the only defence in this case (n/m) (NCFC) - Charles21, Oct 20, 11:59:30
        
        IANAL but (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 11:41:27
        
        So...you anal, do you... (n/m) (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:49:22
        
        Not that I remember (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 12:03:02
      - I think you're out of your depth here PA... (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Oct 20, 11:39:01
        
        That's a crimanal allegation and I demand compensation for the fact you've made it (n/m) (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:39:54
        
        That's criminal spelling as well. (n/m) (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 11:41:44
        
        He's joking: that's the way lappinitup spelled when claiming to have a PHD (n/m) (NCFC) - yarmyyarmy, Oct 20, 11:59:55
        
        *whispers* he's a bit of a drinker... (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Oct 20, 11:42:27
        
        Shockingly defamatory! (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:48:40
- Did I read the correctly? (NCFC) - Ben, Oct 20, 11:19:52
  - That's what I read as well.... (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 11:24:42
    - Wouldn't most of the "details" amount to hotmail/yahoo/gmail addresses? (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:26:44
      - That depends what Ben collected at the time (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 11:33:29
        
        Everything, be afraid, be very afraid (NCFC) - Ben, Oct 21, 02:51:29
- from now on... (NCFC) - hairyolaf, Oct 20, 11:16:23
  - or.. (NCFC) - hairyolaf, Oct 20, 11:17:30
    - Allegedly (n/m) (NCFC) - the101ers, Oct 20, 11:45:14
- Might be too late (NCFC) - The King of Prussia, Oct 20, 11:01:34
  - how scary are things becoming... (NCFC) - hairyolaf, Oct 20, 11:13:53
    - I don't know (NCFC) - The King of Prussia, Oct 20, 11:36:20
      - Agreed (n/m) (NCFC) - Partial Angler, Oct 20, 11:40:21
        
        I never saw it... (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Oct 20, 11:41:37
        
        Shouldn't do (NCFC) - The King of Prussia, Oct 20, 11:46:47

Reply to Message

In order to add a post to the WotB Message Board you must be a registered WotB user.

If you are not yet registered then please visit the registration page. You should ensure that their browser is setup to accept cookies.