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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:
Uwila · 17/08/2006 11:38

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?????

hunkermunker · 17/08/2006 11:39

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GeorginaA · 17/08/2006 11:49

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

CheesyFeet · 17/08/2006 12:17
CheesyFeet · 17/08/2006 12:18

Bollocks.

this

GeorginaA · 17/08/2006 12:21
wickedwaterwitch · 17/08/2006 22:24

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UrsulatheSeawitch · 17/08/2006 22:27

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Cam · 17/08/2006 22:51

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.

UrsulatheSeawitch · 17/08/2006 22:53

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???)

Cam · 17/08/2006 22:59

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

Uwila · 18/08/2006 08:31

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Tinker · 18/08/2006 08:47

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

suejonez · 18/08/2006 08:48

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

suejonez · 18/08/2006 08:49

could however set up a new company and start again.

zippitippitoes · 18/08/2006 08:53

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.

Uwila · 18/08/2006 09:00

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katierocket · 18/08/2006 09:05

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Uwila · 18/08/2006 09:06

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.

Uwila · 18/08/2006 09:08

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.

GeorginaA · 18/08/2006 09:16

As I understood it, Mumsnet going bankrupt isn't an option as it's Justine et al who are directly being sued, not Mumsnet Ltd. Bankrupcy becomes a lot harder when it's your home you're losing.

Demon Internet tried to say they were not the publisher they were a common carrier, but failed.

I honestly believe Mumsnet's best move is to move to a US host while continuing to fight to change UK laws.

GeorginaA · 18/08/2006 09:17

Although thinking about it, if SHE is getting around the Mumsnet Ltd thing by suing Justine et al personally, then presumably THEY'D have to relocate to the US as well, which is obviously less than convenient.

hunkermunker · 18/08/2006 09:24

If MN settle, there's nothing to stop her coming back and doing this again in a couple of years' time - unless she's never mentioned again on this site by anyone.

Yes, posts are being deleted now if they cross "the line", but they were deleted before this all kicked off - the ones she's kicked off about have been deleted, so it's the same situation, IMO.

I'm happy to donate to a fighting fund, but not for a settlement. I realise that it's not my house on the line, etc - but this is how I feel. There's a LOT that needs to come out in court about this...

Uwila · 18/08/2006 09:27

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Uwila · 18/08/2006 09:31

The demon case has a big difference. Demon refused to remove the offending post when asked to do so. But, Mumsnet has gone to great lengths to accommodate nobody's requests. They have really made more than resonable efforts.

Something my DH said that I thought was interesting was that he thought that if mumsnet allowed users to delete their own posts then mumsnet would have a stronger argument to say the user controls the content and not mumsnet. I, personally, think they have this covered by the report a post facility. But, I don't know perhaps he's right. Although, I should also add that my DH thinks he'd see more of me if mumsnet was shut down so he's not necessarily opposed to that happening. Poor DH, it's not gonna happen!