22 Feb
When I Come To Power: A SLAPP In The Face
Posted by Douglas in When I Come To Power | Tags :lawsuit, legal bullying, slapp | No Comments
A SLAPP – or a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation – is a lawsuit filed not to be won, or often even contested, but rather to cause the defendant to capitulate to the plaintiff’s demands due to fear, legal costs, or other inability or unwillingness to contest the suit. Usually, when discussing SLAPPs, we’re talking about suits used to suppress criticism of one sort or another. They’re most often associated with libel – the most famous UK example being McLibel – but can include a variety of other laws, such as trademark law (particularly with gripes sites). This doesn’t only affect those directly involved, either, as it creates a chilling effect on legitimate criticism and dissent, which as a believer in free speech I find to be a serious problem.
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