Battling Corporate Internet Trolls: Going After Impostors and Competitors That Break the Law
Filing Defamation Claims and Pseudonymous Lawsuits
Course Details
- smart_display Format
On-Demand
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
- work Practice Area
Corporate Law
- event Date
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
- schedule Time
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
This CLE course will guide general counsel and in-house attorneys with strategies for addressing internet defamation and online reputation attacks against their clients. The panel will examine the various factors counsel must consider when responding to online attacks; effective tactics to identify anonymous posters and file pseudonymous lawsuits; strategies for stopping attacks and/or removing damaging content; addressing impostor competitors; and other legal and business considerations, including unique methods for proving damages for defamation.
Mr. Syverson is a leading IP litigation and defamation lawyer specializing in Internet and data breach issues. He represents Academy Award winning actors, CEO’s, hedge fund owners, public companies, NFL players, video game companies, content producers and distributors, professionals and small business owners.
Ms. Agnes developed an international reputation for crisis management, planning and training by helping large global brands prevent and manage a wide range of corporate issues and crises. Her client list includes Fortune companies, as well as public, private and not-for-profit organizations.
Ms. Baughman litigates the First Amendment, defamation, and anti-SLAPP issues in California and around the country. She has managed precedent-setting cases, including those involving free speech and due process standards against the government. Ms. Baughman represents corporations, high profile public figures, nonprofit organizations, gig economy companies, and private individuals alike.
When trolls attack the integrity of a business, potentially destroying the company's reputation, companies and counsel need to weigh the cost of proceeding with a potential defamation or libel action against a troll with the likelihood of success. This requires a business and legal approach to issues that distinguish trolls from dissatisfied customers. Due to the ubiquity of anonymous posters, corporate counsel must be prepared and experienced in filing pseudonymous lawsuits.
While mimicry may be the sincerest form of flattery, in the online world, the concern of imposter and copycat postings for companies increases. It can be difficult to determine the province of these competitors, and the legal claims of proceeding against them for infringement take skill in both discovery and filing the proper lawsuit.
Listen as our expert panel of attorneys and consultants provides advice on how to navigate the social media platforms to protect the client's company and how and when to make the decision to go on the offensive against individuals seeking to destroy a company's reputation and economic livelihood.
- Review of social media policies
- Trolls vs. dissatisfied customers
- Defamation and libel
- Filing pseudonymous lawsuits
- State options for online claims
- Imposter competitors
- Best business practices for protecting online reputations
The panel will review these and other issues:
- How to distinguish a troll from a dissatisfied customer
- What are the elements necessary for a libel or defamation claim?
- How does a company determine a defamation claim is warranted balancing cost/likelihood of success?
- How does a company file a pseudonymous lawsuit against an anonymous poster?
- What unique concerns are posed by anti-SLAPP law?
- How does a company file a pseudonymous lawsuit against an anonymous poster?
- What steps should a company take when an online imposter is discovered?
