Puntarelli v. Does [1]

Summary

Threat Type:

Lawsuit

Date:

05/08/2008

Status:

Pending

Disposition:

Material Removed

Subpoena Enforced

Location:

Indiana

Verdict or Settlement Amount:

N/A

Legal Claims:

Defamation

Harassment

Parties

Party Receiving Legal Threat:

John Does

Type of Party:

Individual

Type of Party:

Individual

Location of Party:

Indiana

Legal Counsel:

Jay Mercer

Description

Tim Puntarelli, Dean of Roncalli High Scool in Indianapolis, filed a defamation lawsuit against an anonymous Facebook user (or users) who allegedly created a fake profie for him and used it to send inappropriate messages to students. According to one press report [2], the lawsuit also claimed that the user engaged in harassment and identity theft. Puntarelli sought information about the anonymous user or users from Facebook, which resisted this effort.

The court ultimately ordered Facebook to produce identifying information for its user(s). Facebook removed the profile at Puntarelli's request before the lawsuit was filed.

Details

Web Site(s) Involved:

Facebook [8]

Content Type:

Photo
Text

Publication Medium:

Social Network

Subject Area:

Anonymity
Student Speech
User Comments or Submissions

Court Information & Documents

Jurisdiction:

Indiana

Source of Law:

Indiana

Court Name:

Superior Court, Marion County, Indiana

Court Type:

State

Case Number:

No. 49D120805CT20682

CMLP Information (Private)

Priority:

2-Normal

Threat Source:

MLRC

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