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NOT IN THE INTEREST OF FULL DISCLOSURE

beach_umbrella_sand_photo_nyreblog_com_.JPGUnhappy with Sandals Resorts International's hiring policies, "jft3092@gmail.com" sent out an e-mail which described the company as a predatory entity which accepted Jamaican tax subsidies, yet considered locals unworthy of upper-level positions.

In response, Sandals filed a lawsuit asking the New York County Supreme Court for an order requiring Google to disclose "jft3092's" identity. When that request was denied, Sandals appealed.

In addition to the company failing to show how it was harmed by that email, the Appellate Division, First Department, thought the content wasn't actionable because it contained "constitutionally protected opinion." (The writing wasn't seen as defamatory because the author provided a series of links which not only supported his view of the company's practices but allowed the message's recipients to arrive at their own conclusions.)

That was no walk on the beach.

bouncing_beach_ball_gif_nyreblog_com_.GIFTo view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Sandals Resorts Intl. Ltd. v. Google, Inc.

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