Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator • Hacker News Board

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#11

Post by TheCowboy » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 1:29 AM UTC

I think items like this are probably not useful or worthwhile as targets for upmodding on HN. We're basically just clicking up-arrow because we like the outcome and see the post here.

We will all hear about this, unless we live under a rock. And for those of us under a rock, it's probably for a good reason.

News items like this and a lack of community discipline to disregard them are how I remember reddit beginning its slide in quality.

The comments this story will attract on HN will not likely add anything to the discussion that's been going on across the Interwebs.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#12

Post by dkulchenko » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 1:35 AM UTC

ww520 wrote: post #10

What is the legal punishment for filing frivolous lawsuit? For every case backed down like Carreon, there must be a lot more people caved to legal backmails.

If you do it enough, you can get disbarred: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vexatious_litigation

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#13

Post by mkr-hn » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 1:37 AM UTC

dkulchenko wrote: post #12

ww520 wrote: post #10

What is the legal punishment for filing frivolous lawsuit? For every case backed down like Carreon, there must be a lot more people caved to legal backmails.

If you do it enough, you can get disbarred: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vexatious_litigation

Like this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(activist)

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#14

Post by caffeineninja » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 1:48 AM UTC

Charles Carreon and his wife are almost as bad as Westboro Baptist's Fred Phelps and his cronies. Just doing it because they're too stubborn, ignorant or righteous to see the fallacy of their ways.

People like these only fuel my misanthropy.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#15

Post by billpatrianakos » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 1:55 AM UTC

TheCowboy wrote: post #11

I think items like this are probably not useful or worthwhile as targets for upmodding on HN. We're basically just clicking up-arrow because we like the outcome and see the post here. We will all hear about this, unless we live under a rock. And for those of us under a rock, it's probably for a good reason. News items like this and a lack of community discipline to disregard them are how I remember reddit beginning i…

Back in the old days your comment would've been in the top spot here (despite what my profile says, I lurked for far longer so I do remember). Now, as of this writing you're at 3. You are totally right and your position in these comments can only support your view.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#16

Post by SwellJoe » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 2:02 AM UTC

mkr-hn wrote: post #13

dkulchenko wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you do it enough, you can get disbarred: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vexatious_litigation

Like this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(activist)

It took years for anyone to take responsibility for allowing him to continue to practice and abuse the system, and he was famous for trolling the legal system. That tells me the bar needs some serious reform.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#17

Post by innernette » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 2:03 AM UTC

ww520 wrote: post #10

What is the legal punishment for filing frivolous lawsuit? For every case backed down like Carreon, there must be a lot more people caved to legal backmails.

It depends on the jurisdiction and circumstances. In Federal Court, there are sanctions as a penalty (to deter more frivolous action) and damages (to compensate the other side). See http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_11#rule_11_c

A court may: - Order one side pay for the other side's attorney's fees - Order one side to pay for the court's wasted time - Dismiss the case - Issue a public reprimand

Also, an attorney may violate professional responsibility laws which could have other penalties, such as being disbarred.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#18

Post by mwexler » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 2:06 AM UTC

TheCowboy wrote: post #11

I think items like this are probably not useful or worthwhile as targets for upmodding on HN. We're basically just clicking up-arrow because we like the outcome and see the post here. We will all hear about this, unless we live under a rock. And for those of us under a rock, it's probably for a good reason. News items like this and a lack of community discipline to disregard them are how I remember reddit beginning i…

I'll just point out that some people rely on the crowd at HN to help them find good and interesting news that gets lost in the crowds. If one does this long enough, one decides not to spend as much time at other sites, finding deep and enjoyable conversation among folks here.

For those folks, it's possible they won't hear much about this story elsewhere, and certainly not the interesting opinions of the HN folks.

The reddit point is appropriate, but still, I'm actually interested in the spin HN folks put on these types of non-startuppy stories.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#19

Post by CamperBob2 » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 2:12 AM UTC

caffeineninja wrote: post #14

Charles Carreon and his wife are almost as bad as Westboro Baptist's Fred Phelps and his cronies. Just doing it because they're too stubborn, ignorant or righteous to see the fallacy of their ways. People like these only fuel my misanthropy.

A better comparison might be made with Jack Thompson, the lawyer who first appeared on the scene as an upstanding moral crusader against the evils of video game violence, and eventually ended up disbarred for abusive and erratic behavior.

This isn't the last we'll hear of Mr. Carreon, rest assured. He hasn't hit bottom yet.

Re: Charles Carreon Drops Bogus Lawsuit Against The Oatmeal Creator

#20

Post by ascendant » Wed, Jul 04, 2012, 2:37 AM UTC

TheCowboy wrote: post #11

I think items like this are probably not useful or worthwhile as targets for upmodding on HN. We're basically just clicking up-arrow because we like the outcome and see the post here. We will all hear about this, unless we live under a rock. And for those of us under a rock, it's probably for a good reason. News items like this and a lack of community discipline to disregard them are how I remember reddit beginning i…

This case, had it gone to trial, would have had very grave repercussions for anyone who makes a living on the Internet. The fact that it is being dropped is (A) good news for the people that like Oatmeal and (B) good news for anyone who tries to make a dime online. Since I would wager the bulk of the people that frequent Hacker News fall into one or both of those camps, I would think that this story would be relevant.