The widespread access and pseudo-anonymity of the World Wide Web tends to lull us into thinking that we can say what we want, reprint what we choose, and reproduce whatever our heart’s desire, just because the information/icon/artwork/video/etc. etc. appears on the web …
But taking something from the Internet does not mean it is public domain and yours to do with as you will, and putting something on the Internet does not mean that you have not committed plagiarism, trademark infringement, libel, or any of a number of other ethical or legal no-no’s.
As Amanda Bobben (or Bonnen; the name appears both ways in print, including in the court document referenced here) learned when she tweeted the following: “Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon realty thinks it’s okay.”
Apparently Horizon Realty didn’t think this was an acceptable tweet. Click here to see a copy of the verified complaint they filed in Cook County (Illinois) Circuit Court claiming damages in an amount in excess of $50,000.
Well, one thing is certain. If Horizon Realty was concerned about what Amanda’s 20 Twitter followers would think of the tweet, they must be reeling at how their lawsuit has caused the topic to explode on Twitter, blogs, YouTube and across the Internet at large.
Although, wouldn’t you think they would have considered that before they filed the lawsuit?
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