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Defamation Case Against Wikipedia Dismissed
The Wikipedia Foundation, which runs the ever-expanding online encyclopaedia, is breathing a sigh of relief after a French defamation suit against it was dismissed.
The Foundation was sued by three French nationals who claimed that a Wikipedia entry identified them as gay activists, and that such reference was defamatory.
In dismissing the case, the judge relied on a French law which protects ISPs and web hosts from liability if they are not aware of illegal content on sites. Further, website hosts are not required to monitor or investigate the origin or legitimacy of information stored on their sites. In these circumstances, and considering that the disputed articles had been removed in any event, the judge did not find it necessary to consider whether the references were defamatory.
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