Can a person be held liable for defamatory statements made on a third-party website?

Yes, a person can be held liable for defamatory statements made on a third-party website in California. The California Supreme Court has ruled that when the statement is originated from the defendant, and even if the statement was posted on a third-party website, the defendant can be held liable. The court stated that under California law, "a cause of action for defamation lies against any individual who initiated or otherwise participated in the publication of defamatory material, regardless of whether the material was posted on a third-party website." This means that the individual who posted the defamatory statement can be held responsible, even if the statement was posted on a third-party website. For example, in one case, a plaintiff brought a defamation claim against an individual who allegedly posted false and defamatory statements on a third-party website. The court found the defendant liable because the defendant had initiated the defamatory statements and was responsible for their publication. In conclusion, it is important to note that a person can be held liable for defamatory statements made on a third-party website in California. However, the court must determine if the individual actually initiated the publication of the statement before liability can attach.

Related FAQs

What is a public figure and how does it affect a defamation claim?
How can an employer protect itself from potential defamation claims?
Are statements of opinion considered defamatory?
Is a statement considered defamatory if it is made on a blog or social media site?
Is a person required to prove actual malice to win a defamation claim?
Does a publisher or website have liability for third-party comments posted to its site?
What defenses are available to those charged with defamation?
Is a plaintiff required to show actual damages in a defamation case?
Is a statement considered defamatory if it is made to a third party?
How can a person protect his or her reputation from false and defamatory statements?

Can a person be held liable for defamatory statements made on a third-party website?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts