Libel on the internet.

[Cornell]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA

I am being harassed and misrepresented on an online forum by a person who lives in another state. If I wanted to sue for libel, what state would the legal proceedings be conducted in?

 

[quincy]

For online actions, you can generally bring suit in your own state. You just have to show your state has jurisdiction over the matter.

 

[Cornell]

By jurisdiction, do you mean that the address of the site administrators or site address need to be in your state, or does the site address matter? How is jurisdiction determined for online sites? Or do you mean jurisdiction over the type of action being taken? Please clarify.

 

[quincy]

The website address does not matter. You only need to show that the defendant (website) has minimum contacts with your state so that the court in your state can hear the case. In other words, if you were able to access the site in your state, that is the minimum contact required to bring suit in your state. The defendant may challenge jurisdiction, but it would probably not be a successful challenge.