Cybersmear or Cyber-SLAPP: Analyzing Defamation Suits Against Online John Does as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation

This Comment will first survey the law of cybersmear, illustrating the paradigmatic issues and legal theories employed. Then, it will discuss the free speech issues and theoretical bases argued in court and legal journals, paying special attention to the shortcomings in current protection of defendant anonymity. Next, it will examine the value of online anonymity and the protections that the Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) theory offers. Finally, given the breakdown in the public and private space dichotomy, this Comment will argue for a new understanding of the SLAPP constitutional protections in cyberspace. This understanding will recognize the powerful dynamics of online speech regulation, in contrast with those of its real-world counterpart, and ensure that the would-be private arbiters of the technology and, therefore, liberty in cyberspace do not stifle the free discourse enabled by Internet technology

Anti-Employer Blogging: Employee Breach of the Duty of Loyalty and the Procedure for Allowing Discovery of a Blogger’s Identity Before Service of Process Is Effected

The rapid rise in anonymous anti-employer internet blogs by disgruntled employees has created a tension between the liberty interests of employees in free speech and privacy and employers\u27 rights to be free from defamation, disparagement and disclosure of confidential information by an employee. This iBrief argues that the anonymity of anti-employer bloggers should not shield employees from breach of the duty of loyalty claims under tort and contract law, and that Congress should enact rules to govern the disclosure of blogger identity

Investing Online: Concerns about the Evolving Use of the Internet as an Investment Tool in the Secondary Market Context

La croissance dramatique du commerce électronique des titres cache un grand potentiel pour les investisseurs, de même que pour l’industrie des valeurs mobilières en général. Prenant en considération ses risques particuliers, les autorités réglementaires vivent un défi important face à l’Internet en tant que nouveau moyen d’investir. Néanmoins, malgré l’évolution technologique, les objectifs fondamentaux et l’approche des autorités réglementaires restent similaires à ce qui se produit présentement. Cet article analyse l’impact de l’Internet sur le commerce des valeurs mobilières en se concentrant sur les problèmes soulevés par l’utilisation de ce nouveau moyen de communication dans le contexte du marché secondaire. Par conséquent, son objectif est de dresser le portrait des plaintes typiques des investisseurs, de même que celui des activités frauduleuses en valeurs mobilières propres au cyberespace. L’auteur fait une synthèse des développements récents en analysant l’approche des autorités réglementaires, les études doctrinales, la jurisprudence et les cas administratifs. L'auteure désire remercier la professeure Raymonde Crête pour ses précieux commentaires et conseils.The explosive growth of electronic trading holds great potential for investors, as well as for the securities industry as a whole. Taking into consideration its unique risks, securities regulators face tough challenges dealing with the Internet as a new investment tool. Nevertheless, despite a changing technological environment, the fundamental goals and approach of securities regulators can be expected to remain constant. This article examines the impact of the Internet on securities trading, focusing on the concerns raised by the use of this new medium in a secondary market context. Consequently, it aims at illustrating typical investors’ complaints and fraudulent securities schemes, which evolve in Cyberspace. The author takes a close look at the recent developments in this field, analyzing securities regulators’ approaches, doctrinal studies as well as relevant jurisprudence and administrative cases. The author would like to thank Professor Raymonde Crête for her valuable comments and advice