Web site libel?

[Kenzkaya]

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

Is it legal to have copies of recordings someone has left on my Voice Mail? In these recordings, this person also mentions names, do the people whos names are mentioned have a right to sue for libel, meaning me, or would their "problem" be with the person who mentions them in the recordings????

 

[quincy]

It depends.

If someone left you a voice message that defames someone, the person who left the defamatory message would be liable for defamation, should the person defamed suffer reputational injury as a result of the message and should the defamed person decide to sue.

For example, if Mr. X calls you and leaves a voice message falsely accusing Mr. Z of being an embezzler, and you are Mr. Z's employer and you fire Mr. Z as a result of the voice message, Mr. Z can sue Mr. X.

However, if you make copies of this defamatory voice message and distribute it to others, you become liable for defaming Mr. Z, as well, and he could sue both you and Mr. X for defamation.