Google Told To Disclose Blogger's Personal Information In A Defamation Case

Jan. 25, 2012 - PRLog -- In a landmark ruling, Judge told Google to hand over Blogger’s personal information including details of a Gmail account,  to a UK based defamation victim.

A high Court Judge in London has ordered INTERNET giant Google Inc. to disclose to a UK claimant, data and personal details which it holds in relation to a user who utilised Google’s Blogger to spread defamation against a UK based businessman.

On Monday 23 January 2012, Google was told to have information, which includes the blog owner’s user name, email address and IP address disclosed to Bains Cohen (http://www.BainsCohen.com ), lawyers acting for the claimant.

Google will also need to supply information about the Gmail account associated with the creator of the Blog as well as other data which will help identify the anonymous user.

A further order to have a claim form against Google Inc. served outside the jurisdiction was also granted by Judge, opening the gates for a future claims against Google, as a party to a defamation claim in the UK.

It is believed that this is the first time that such an order was granted by a UK court in relation to defamation proceedings concerning a UK based victim.

Google now has 21 days to comply with the order which Bains Cohen are hoping will provide their client with sufficient information to pursue the anonymous blogger.

Yair Cohen, the lawyer representing the Claimant, said:  “This ruling may signal the beginning of a shift in the behaviour of internet users who can no longer be allowed to hide behind a cloak of anonymity…”

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Business London lawyers Bains Cohen Solicitors, specialise in media law, intellectual property, internet law & reputation management. A strategic law firm which breaks tradition with its honest,straight forward & down to earth approach to legal issues.