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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Fund to support Mumsnet through the battle

145 replies

ChandraVilla · 08/08/2006 21:32

Some other websites like Damsels, Downsizer and Freeforum have kindly offered to raise awareness and money to support Mumsnet through a legal battle.

As these posts are at a risk of being overlooked as have been posted in the long Nobody's threads, I'm starting this thread. If you want to contribute in someway, be it ideas to help MN or to send some money for the cause please post here

OP posts:
VladimirllichLeninQV · 09/08/2006 20:37

P.S. Allie - i dont have any work to do hence my mn'ing.

Have already read an online paper, checked the lottery and the news.....

AllieBongo · 09/08/2006 20:41

that's my girl.. i've eaten a bowl of fruit, done some work, and now my bezzy mate works here until 7.30pm with me so life's peachy.

myfreeforum · 09/08/2006 20:42

I agree that no one wants to simply chuck money at mumsnet only to find it is not needed and their hard earned dosh is down the drain I know it will pain me a lot to part with what my company will pledge.
But the way I see it is that the money may be needed pretty quickly and working out all the red tape would take time.
If mumsnet is donated a lot of money it will be in the glare of publicity and I'm confident the money would either have to be well spend in the defense of this case, refunded or donated in some form to the cause of freedom of speech on the interent.
I'm prepared to take this view on a leap of faith.

VladimirllichLeninQV · 09/08/2006 20:49

I agree MFF.

julienetmum · 09/08/2006 22:59

I have never subscribed or payed CAT fees and never will but I would contribute to this.

edam · 10/08/2006 10:21

Worth saying here that demo was cancelled because at such short notice, obviously loads of mothers who all have heavy committments couldnt make it at such short notice. But huge thanks to the many people who contacted me and JARM wanting to attend in person or in spirit. We'll do something more organised soon!

honeyCHEld · 10/08/2006 10:38

just bumping this up to keep it in people's minds.

JessaFreedomFighter · 10/08/2006 11:00

I would donate something to this cause.

"even if we raised £10k for mumsnet it may not be enough, and thus would be pointless because who is going to pay the rest?"

but ...it might be enough..and therefore is not pointless...plus, hello optimism, MN may not actually lose or it may not get to court but will still be costing shedloads in legal costs to prepare and to get to that point.

vlodyaulyanov · 10/08/2006 23:29

VladimirllichLeninQV quite like you name
I will happily contribute to this. Hope everybody will help MN.

sansouci · 11/08/2006 00:14

I fully support MN & will do whatever I can to help.

However, I'm surprised & shocked at the number of MNers who believe MN hasn't a chance of winning this case due to lack of funds. What kind of legal system does that suggest? One run by & made for the wealthy, not the just. At the risk of sounding naïve, when cost enters the system of justice, how can justice possibly be described as such?

sansouci · 11/08/2006 00:15

Is pro bono a possibility?

GeorginaA · 11/08/2006 08:32

"when cost enters the system of justice, how can justice possibly be described as such"

And therein lies the problem with the current libel laws.

honeychild · 13/08/2006 20:55

Pro bono would be unlikely. If this went to court, it wouldn't just be an in-and-out in the county court, but a big performance, and more than would normally be taken on pro bono, by solicitors or counsel.

Also if you go the pro bono route you're not likely to get someone with enough experience to to a good job.

So keep the idea of the fighting fund afloat, if this really is going the distance.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 15/08/2006 10:39

Many of you have very kindly posted on here and written to us directly that you would be willing to contribute to a legal fund for costs relating to our current legal dispute with Gina Ford.
So we've set up a legal fund here . Please be assured that any monies raised will go entirely towards our legal costs, and were it by any chance the case that we raised more than our costs we would pass any excess to an appropriate charity in consultation with you of course.
Many thanks,
MNHQ

Jaysecond · 15/08/2006 19:07

EXCELLENT, bring it on!!!!!

WideWebWitch · 15/08/2006 19:12

Hi Justine, or someone, please can you let us know how big a threat this is atm and what sort of value legal bill you're potentially looking at? Have Foot Anstey confirmed that action is going ahead (or that it has been withdrawn)? I'm not trying to rake anything up but I am interested to know how Gina's lawyers have been instructed to proceed and what the current status is. Absolutely happy to help and donate if the threat is still there, of course - I'd be desolate if this site closed and I think this is an important issue. Thanks.

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 15/08/2006 19:13

TBH, I dont think Justine and MNHQ would put up a fighting fund if there wasnt the high risk.

AmandaP · 15/08/2006 19:15

Contribution made.... Good luck MN!

WideWebWitch · 15/08/2006 19:15

Oh I wasn't suggesting they would do it in a kind of vague 'go on then' way JARM, just wondering if we could have some more info, that's all (as long as it's not going to affect any case, obv)

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 15/08/2006 19:21

Its ok WWW - it would be good for an update.

(Im jsut a little highly strung right now - DH has injured himself again so cant move and kids are refusing bedtime!)

morningpaper · 15/08/2006 19:29

Hi Justine, I'm confused about the case too. What are we fighting?!?! Is it the defamation thing as instructed in the letter we've seen, or is it because we've seen the letter, or is it because a moderated talkboard shouldn't be pre-moderated i.e. the owners shouldn't be liable for defamatory remarks?

MNHQ
carriemumsnet · 15/08/2006 21:48

Hi all

Just back from hols and trying to get up to speed on everything...Guess I missed quite a lot although the Daily Mail did make it to Spain . Justine was talking with the lawyers today and I hope to be able to get back with some answers to your questions as soon as possible, but please bear with us if it takes a day or so.

Belated thanks too to everyone for your messages of support - I've been ploughing through emails and threads all day and have been really moved by the tremendous response to all this.

Best go before I start gushing....

Carrie

jesk · 15/08/2006 22:21

why not put an ad for funds in the back of Private Eye?

myfreeforum · 16/08/2006 09:25

We have payed an initial donatation, but are prepared to chip in more, I think like many who are keen to support but at the same time not rolling in cash it is going to be useful to see some ongoing information on what is needed and how the fund is doing.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 16/08/2006 10:39

Hi all,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - am officially on hols but dipping in!
Ok so here's where we are:
In their latest correspondence, GF's lawyers told us that they have entered into a conditional fee arrangement and that they were under instructions to apply for insurance as of last friday (this is part of the procedure you go through when you prepare to sue). We do not know whether they did actually apply for insurance on Friday or not, we are waiting to hear from them and we are still hoping to negotiate a settlement. The lawyers say also they are considering a seperate action for "infringement of copyright" unless we we remove their letter to our ISP from the site.

So far we have been able to meet our legal costs from internal revenue but if the dispute continues this will no longer be feasible.

It's very hard to put a figure on what things might cost but essentially there are a couple of scenarios:

a) We settle, in which case any funds raised go towards legal cost to date.
b) We go to court in which case we will have our own increased legal costs plus the possibility of Ms Ford's costs and even damages being awarded against us. Obviously this would be a tidy sum.

We completely understand that some of those keen to contribute to a fighting fund might want to see what happens next before dipping into their pockets. We promise to keep you closely in touch.
Thanks again for your support.
MNHQ