Courtney Love’s Twitter Defamation Lawsuit

Dawn Simorangkir, aka Dawn Younger-Smith, aka Boudoir Queen is an up and coming fashion designer who was retained by singer Courtney Michelle Love. After becoming unhappy with their business relationship, Love posted some not-very-nice and profanity-filled online comments about Simorangkir.

Simorangkir has filed a lawsuit against Love for libel and related claims.

Why Is Everyone So Atwitter Over the Courtney Love Defamation Lawsuit

Everyone seems quite excited that this defamation action spawned from comments that Love posted on the popular social networking site Twitter. Evidently, the Love/Simorangkir lawsuit is the first defamation action connected to someone’s activities on the micro-blogging site. Note that Love also posted comments on MySpace and on Simorangkir’s etsy.com feedback page

Is This Defamation Lawsuit Really Special?

Outside of the use of Twitter, I would say this defamation lawsuit is not that special. However, it should serve as reminder that bad behavior is not immune from consequences just because the bad behavior takes place via the internet.

As a general review of how to avoid defaming people, you might want to listen to my recent One-Minute How-To – Challenge interview during which I gave a one-minute overview of How to Avoid Defaming People In Your Writing.

Is Courtney Love In Trouble?

Maybe. Much of Love’s internet musings are a rant which could be classified as Love’s statement of her opinion about Simorangkir or simply as name calling. Insults and name calling by themselves are normally not actionable as defamation.

However, within her rant, Love does make statements that a court might interpret as being offered as statements of fact. According to Simorangkir’s complaint, Love said Simorangkir sold drugs, is a drug addict, has a history of dealing cocaine, has a history of assault and burglary, has a record of prostitution, has committed grand theft, stole cash and goods from Love, has engaged in felonious behavior, lied, embezzled money, has committed blackmail, was deemed an unfit parent, lost custody of her child, is a racist and homophobe, has outstanding warrants for her arrest, and that the Austin police confiscated Love's property from her home.

If Love made such statements about Simorangkir and the statements are false, those are good grounds for a defamation claim.