Vorys Partner Quoted in Law360 Story Titled “6th Circ. Gossip Site Ruling A Relief For Web Hosts”

Whitney Gibson, a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and the leader of the firm’s internet defamation group, was quoted in a Law360 story about a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.  The court overturned an earlier decision that found a former Bengals cheerleader, Sarah Jones, was defamed by commenters on a website. The decision stated that while Jones was definitely "the object of defamatory content," neither the website, nor its operator, are responsible for the third-party postings.

The story states:

“Not everyone was thrilled about Monday's ruling.

Whitney C. Gibson, a partner with Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP who regularly represents plaintiffs in online defamation suits, called it ‘yet another illustration of why changes need to be made to the Communications Decency Act to protect victims of online reputation attacks.’

 ‘The way the Communications Decency Act is currently drafted, victims of online reputation attacks are often left without any recourse, any way to recover for their damages, and worse, without any way to even remove defamatory comments about them from the Internet,’ Gibson said in an email.

‘The law needs to be changed,’ Gibson said.”

To read the entire story, visit the Law360 website. (Subscription may be required).