Question about libel

[FreshPrince]

Hi guys,

I run a politics forum that you can see in my signature. We get "post and run" kinds of posters sometimes. People who just post up something advertising for their site or political cause or whatever and then leave. One such guy posted up the following comment: http://www.politicsforumpoliticalwor...ght=josh+first

He alleges:

I am getting email from everywhere the thread has been linked or copied to.
Or so it seems. People are real upset that they are actually going to put a
political hack in this seat. Then add the next guy they seem to want - Person X Another slap in the face of sportsmen. The guy bought land he was
suppose to be aquireing for the Sportsmen!!! Hopefully, the Governor and his
staff wake up.

I got an e-mail from Person X claiming he is being slandered and he is threatening to get a legal court order and possibly sue for damages if I don't take down or alter that post. I have the standard contract at registration which says that the forum owners are not responsible for what is written by posters.

Person X has presented no evidence or comments on how this is slander. I have contacted an attorney about this situation.

My question is:

Do you think this is libel?

Is there a legal liability for me here?


Thanks,
FP

[Reeve of shinra]

Not sure if its libel but if your in the USA, I believe you are absolved of responsibilities since you were not the person who posted it. I would wait until you get clarification from your lawyer and then write up a nice editorial explaining why legal threats off the back is a terrible diplomacy tactic and may not bode well should he be elected.

if the guy poped-up after the thread was posted, i suppose he was the one posting it with a different username, just to scam you from behind... this would not be the first time something similar occur.

[FreshPrince]

No, this is not a scam. This is the real guy. He asked me to take it down. I can take it down and there probably won't be a problem. I don't want to take it down. This is a genuine free speech issue.

[s0lidgr0und]

I'd leave it there until you receive a cease and desist order. Then, in the same post, post a copy of the cease and desist order followed by many smilies showing how ridiculous the person is.