Legal Question in Technology Law in Maine

Copyright Infringement versus Libel

If someone copied information from a website forum that was libelous, can the owners of the site use their copyright against that person?

I am in one state and the owner of a website forum is in another state. Some information was posted by forum members (not by the owner of the website) that is obviously libelous and I copied this information to submit to an attorney. The owner of the website has informed me that all information on his website was copyrighted and I could not legally copy this information without his expressed written consent and if I proceeded with the libel suit, he would come back with a copyright infringement suit. What rights do I have to protect my name versus his right to copyright information?


Asked on 4/08/02, 11:34 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lawrence Graves Coolidge & Graves PLLC

Re: Copyright Infringement versus Libel

This falls within the concept of "fair use" under 17 U.S.C. �107. The attorney whom you retain to prosecute your libel claim should be able to advise and/or defend you in relation to this copyright assertion.

Best wishes,

LDWG

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Answered on 4/08/02, 11:51 am


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