Fund to support Mumsnet through the battle

If you go to her website and click on links, you will find her sponsors. Perhaps we should contact them and let them know that they are contibuting to her ability to shut down a site that many not-so-priviledged parents depend on for support and valuable information.

Yes, Sue, I thought of that too. Our contributions to a legal fund could just go to declaring banruptcy and setting up a new business. But, then that might admit defeat and set a pecedent that chat site are in fact publishes and prove that we in fact our not free to speak our minds.

Mumsnet has neither written nor approved this post. I am the sole author.

By Camon Thursday, 17 August, 2006 10:51:04 PMDefamation cases are notoriously difficult to prove, and with defamation, the one who is claiming it has to prove it. M/net do not have to prove they weren't.

The burden of proof is on the accuser rather than the accused.

No it's the exact opposite in England the defendant has to prove that it was not defamation ie the burden of proof is with the defendant the accuser doesn't have to prove anything.

could however set up a new company and start again.

No Uwila, there is no equivalent of chapter 11 here. It's in business or not in business, thats the only choices.

Is Le Tech still around? Could mn not just shut UK operations and base itself in France?

But of course m/net will accept it if they do, no-one willingly goes into court as the defendant

I'm sure that's their plan, Cam, but settling on the steps won't do any good to anybody - this has to be sorted, in caselaw (or whatever they call it???)

Defamation cases are notoriously difficult to prove, and with defamation, the one who is claiming it has to prove it. M/net do not have to prove they weren't.

The burden of proof is on the accuser rather than the accused.

Anyway, no-one would ever be able be able to write a book review ever again if this case is taken seriously by the courts.

My bet is that FA are going to take it right up to the court room steps and the negotiate a settlement minutes before the case, ie. no damages with each side carrying their own costs.

Bollocks.

this

Oh I hope so, hunkermunker - after all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander...

We must win. We must.

How can mumsnetters who afford to contribute financially, contribute otherwise?

I am here to support mumsnet because I dread the thought of being taken away, but I am also here to support the greater issue of Freedom of Speech. I will go to great lengths to support this cause, and I expect I am not alone. Does Miss you know really know what she is up against?????

oh I dunnow, I think it is as much about the wider implications for them as it is for us. If they go to court and are successful, then this will have far reaching implications on every website in the country. If they win a case here and mn is shut down, then all other internet forums will be forced to moderate their posts more heavily. no-one will be allowed to say anything bad about anyone, and in time this will all blow over and book sales will get back on track. There will always be first time mums who have never heard of all this furory or the contravercy surrounding this case who will go out and buy the books, and because no-one will be able to read anything bad about them on the internet, people will be left to form their own opinions, but it will already be too late as they will already have bough the book. Even if mn decide to settle this matter out of court it will mean that other sites will change their policies for fear of the same kind of action in the future. The only way this will go in our favour and not hers is if mn goes to court and wins. anything else will be a loss imo.

will donate tues when back off hols, but BUMP until then!

Can someone please reassure a stupid person that if I put some money in the MN fund instead of buying a new breadbin, it will go towards paying legal fees and will absolutely definately not end up in nobody's pockets???

WWW...idly wonder no more