IS YOUR BLOG A LAWSUIT MAGNET?

Just like newspapers, trade journals and community newsletters, blogs are publications afforded the “basic rights of free speech and expression.” However, real estate professionals and other bloggers must understand that they could be sued for copyright infringement, libel, defamation, invasion of privacy and other such crimes. A real estate agent in Miami was slapped with a $25 million defamation lawsuit by a developer after blogging about condominium projects, for instance, and anonymous posts on numerous sites resulted in a battle between a real estate blogger and an online lead generation and referral service. Inman News managing editor Marcie Geffner urges bloggers to take several factors into consideration before posting content. Among other precautions, they should make sure their blogs contain accurate information; check the facts; use information from reliable sources only; clearly state when what they write is an opinion; avoid libelous or defamatory comments; obtain permission to use photos and other content; and avoid plagiarism.

Source: Inman News (07/01/08) Geffner, Marcie
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