Here's the post I never thought I'd write. No blogger does.
Today I'm in court, defending myself over something published on the Trout Underground.
In my opinion -- and the opinion of a couple legal experts -- I'm facing a lawsuit aimed at getting me to remove a post that isn't even remotely defamatory.
The good news is I shouldn't lose this, but to say more would be to make my legal folks cranky.
Rest assured you'll hear the whole story when I'm allowed to tell it. It will be interesting reading.
I'm hardly the first blogger facing a lawsuit, but the way things are going in the online world, a lot will likely follow me. A newspaper will typically vigorously fight spurious defamation claims, but bloggers -- who often Google higher than local newspapers -- are a lot less likely to fight to keep a story online, and therefore represent juicy targets to those wanting to clean up their online image.
It would have been easier (and cheaper) for me to just pull down the story. But maybe a little harder for the next guy.
Time to fight.
See you in court, Tom Chandler.