Former Vogue model Liskula Cohen, 36, sued Google to learn the identity of a blogger, and won.
New York Supreme Court Judge Joan Madden ordered Google to identify the anonymous blogger, who Cohen claimed defamed her by posting photos of her with derogatory captions below them on the “Skanks in NYC” blog.
“The protection of the right to communicate anonymously must be balanced against the need to assure that those persons who choose to abuse the opportunities presented by this medium can be made to answer for such transgressions,” Judge Madden said.
Cohen’s attorney says he plans to sue the blogger, who turned out to be an acquaintance of Cohen’s, but not someone who was close to her. He said that he and his client are “happy that the court recognizes that the internet is not a place where people can freely defame people.”
The blogger’s attorney, Anne Salisbury, contends that her client’s defense is based on the Bill of Rights. “These words are not actionable,” Salisbury said. “They were not nice, they were insulting, offensive to some. That does not mean that the law provides redress for these insults. So the defense is really, this is free speech.”
The landmark decision could have serious implications for free speech on the internet and certainly won’t be the last word on the issue.
According to CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom, the ruling should be a “wake-up call” to bloggers.
“There’s no anonymity. If you defame someone online, the Web company can be forced to turn over the information attached to your identity, your address, so that you can be sued individually.”
View Liskula Cohen photos below.
Lead photo via New York Post