Summoned by NBI for a libel suit on a forum

Nakadawat ko og subpoena niadtong Lunes ug kini gikan sa National Bureau of Investigation nga nag-imbestigar sa usa ka alegadong libel sa usa ka forum nga akong gitabangan pagdumala.

Actually, the summons was a little cryptic so I really didn't know much about it until today after the meeting at the NBI Cybercrime and Fraud Division office. My initial impression was that this was part of another existing lawsuit we have right now (an almost similar one) so I had to have my lawyers present as well.

Apparently, some members of the forum were posting allegedly libelous statements in the message boards against a huge real-estate company. They claim that these statements have affected their worldwide sales which is why they're hunting down the ones who posted those messages.

Bisan pa man kini usa ka sayop nga pagsabot ug ang akong ngalan nalakip lang tungod kay miyembro ko sa forum sa daghang katuigan na ang milabay. Wala na koy labot sa maong site sulod sa taas nga panahon mao nga kinahanglang magpadala kami og affidavit aron pormal nga isira kini gikan sa akong bahin.

Ang akong higala nga nagpadayon gihapon sa maong site hangtod karon kauban nako sa miting ug andam siya nga makigkooperar sa NBI kung gusto sa mga nagreklamo nga ipadayon ang kaso.

So, while this one is a relief for me, I'm still up in a legal battle on another case. Another story for another day. Ahh, and I thought it's only in the US where people file cases to milk some money off other people.

Why was the author summoned by the NBI?

The NBI is investigating alleged libelous statements posted in a forum against a real-estate company.

Was the author still involved with the forum at the time of the incident?

The author no longer had any involvement with the site for a long time.

What action did the author take to resolve the issue?

The author sent in an affidavit to formalize that they were no longer involved with the forum.

React to this article:

23 Comments

kenshin · 13 years ago

Is there such in thing as libel case in forum? EVen in forum section, is no one safe? Why? What the heck are they trying to run their money just to catch this poor?

melpflams · 17 years ago

MESSAGE

coifieninop · 17 years ago

JC John SESE Cuneta · 20 years ago

Icky, they can still sue you.

One piece of advice to all. Never use the word “Disclaimer” it is NON-EXISTENT and NOT HONORED.

The use of disclaimer started with fansites and illegal sharing of mp3s. The open-source community and gaming communities started to use the word. Soon, other newly born net companies started using that word too.

But even after 10 years of usage, the word “disclaimer” is still not being honored and is non-existent in any laws around the world.

Use another word, just not the word “disclaimer”. Even so, people with “money” can sue you if they want to, they have attorneys who will bend the law just to milk money from you.

Especially in the Philippines… it all comes down to your network and connections, that’s our society.

elmer · 20 years ago

“They claim that these statements have affected their worldwide sales which is why theyâ€™re hunting down the ones who posted those messages.”

This is great idea, and they believed that this lawsuit might help boost their worldwide sales?? i won’t be surprise if one of this days this story would end up in my in-box or in another blog. What dumb excuse IMO!

Icky · 20 years ago

Hmmmm…. just made a note to myself to always express an opinion whenever I post derogatory comments in blogs, then they can’t sue.

something like “I think that real estate company doesn’t really have a good product for them to run after bloggers to protect their business. I also think that they’re being stupid to have a business model that relies on running after these people (to protect their sales?). If I’m the owner of that business I’d fire the guy who came up with the idea and if I’m the stupid guy who came up with the idea, i’d relinquish day to day operations to someone competent!” He he he.