Combating Internet Trolls: The Right of Publicity and Section 230
Landslide® September/October 2020
6 Pages Posted: 21 Oct 2020 Last revised: 9 Apr 2021
Date Written: September 15, 2020
Abstract
Section 230 protects internet trolls and websites from liability for defamation and other torts, but not from liability for intellectual property infringement. This essay argues that some plaintiffs may be able to use the right of publicity to bring claims otherwise preempted by Section 230. Specifically, it reflects on whether Kenneth Zeran could have filed a successful right of publicity action.
Keywords: right of publicity, section 230, internet, intermediary liability, Zeran
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Frye, Brian L. and Miers, Jess, Combating Internet Trolls: The Right of Publicity and Section 230 (September 15, 2020). Landslide® September/October 2020, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3693418 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3693418
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