WRNN-TV v. Does [1]

An anonymous Internet user ("webmaster") created the website "RNN Sucks" and a related Yahoo! message board in order to critize New York television station WRNN-TV. A number of anonymous posters used the message board to criticize WRNN.

WRNN filed suit against Yahoo! and 10 anonymous posters, claiming libel and revelation of confidential business information. At the outset of litigation, the station filed a motion to compel Yahoo! to disclose the identities of the anonymous posters (including "webmaster"). The court initially denied the motion to compel discovery, but reversed itself when WRNN noted that Yahoo! had not opposed the motion. Yahoo! withheld the identifying information to allow the anonymous parties an opportunity to file a motion to quash.

At this point in the litigation, the parties settled out of court. Defendant "webmaster" agreed as part of the settlement to take down the site and forum and to refrain from putting them back online in the future. "Webmaster" also agreed to refrain from commenting about the settlement. In exchange, WRNN agreed to dismiss the lawsuit as to all defendants.