Ultimately, no April Fools’ Day prank for the internet users from Nice who were sued by a mayor of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat feeling “offended” by statements that were eventually deemed non-defamatory and slanderous and that had been removed from the web a long time ago. No smoke and no fire either on social networks, delaying the date of the first legal precedent that would make it easier for a user to sue another for writings concerning them. “I am especially very happy that freedom of expression wins once again. What I find, however, disheartening is wasting the Justice’s time like this. Anyway, all’s well that ends well, I’m happy that this whole affair is finally over.” Relieved, Franck Viano, the creator of the group, maintains that social networks must be protected just like other media. “I use Facebook every day: in my activities, for my passions, with my family… and it must remain a platform that certainly must respect all rules but also must be protected like all types of media or communication supports.”
Facebook can therefore still sleep soundly even if the request for an interim injunction was dismissed this time due to a procedural error (see the interim ruling). Not certain that next time, an error will save the skin of social networks. To be continued…
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Documents attached
Click on the logo to download the court order.
