On March 3, Courtney Love finalized a settlement agreement with designer Dawn Simorangkir, who had filed a defamation lawsuit against the singer based on a series messages Love had posted to Twitter. Love reportedly agreed to pay Simorangkir $430,000 to settle the case, and many legal watchers are disappointed that this case will not go to trial. "The Love defamation case is the first major celebrity defamation case to be brought based a series of Twitter posts," says Andrew Martin, technology and new media attorney with Scott & Scott, LLP. "The case might have produced guidance on tantalizing legal questions regarding disparaging comments broadcast by influential celebrities on Twitter and how those comments are treated under traditional defamation law. The amount of the settlement seems to speak to uncertainty that both parties felt with respect to the strength of their legal arguments, so it appears these social media questions will remain unanswered for the time being." For more information, contact Mr. Martin at 800-596-6176 or amartin@scottandscottllp.com.
About the author
Andrew Martin:
As an associate attorney with extensive prior experience advising information technology start-ups, Andrew’s practice focuses on finding solutions for his clients’ intellectual property issues. Due to his extensive experience in the software and technology industries, Andrew understands both the practical and legal issues involved in IP licensing agreements and disputes. In addition to licensing, Andrew helps his clients find new ways to use existing technologies to assist his clients in areas such as data privacy compliance. Andrew uses his diverse background which includes founding a record label and working for a world-wide concert promoter when counseling the firm’s entertainment clients.
Get in touch: amartin@scottandscottllp.com | 800.596.6176