I am an artist who makes part of my living doing customized diecast cars. I have a website devoted to such and over 600 members. I also make part of my living selling specialized products for others creating these tiny works of art. And finally, I do a little web site design.
Now three plus years ago, there was a member of my site who made several antagonistic and derogatory remarks towards other members on a thread which essentially reported a lower selling price than the person had bragged about. The information was confirmed by two people attending the event auction including the person who won the item. But this was not acceptable to the builder, who continued to say it sold at a higher price and was very rude to anyone who contradicted him. I warned him to stop (as the admin of the site) and he continued, even sending me a nasty email too boot, so, I banned him from site.
Since that time, this person has taken every opportunity to belittle/harrass/defame me, my site and my products on various similar themed websites. However, over time, this person has been banned from at least 6 other sites for similar harrassment or rude comments.
He has also collected "membership fees" for a diecast club he founded...however on at least one occasion/year of operation, several of his members have complained of not receiving the promised member items after paying their dues.
The same person promised/contracted to produce several hundred custom diecast pieces to be given away at a large corporate sponsored convention, but did not come through with the complete amount and refuses to return the balance of money paid to him.
OK...thats enough of the "Back story".
This person has on numerous occasions, sent out mass emails (30-100 recipients per) which accuse me, or my site of some sort of wrong doing. The latest two or three have actually had my name, plus my website mentioned by name as being directly associated with the KKK, which I take major offense to!! He also blatantly calls my products defective, which is far from the truth as Ive been selling this product since 2001 and nothing but raves from users.
He has also been targeted by someone that apparently he has made very angry (other than myself) who has turned the tables on the first person, by anonymously send mass emails alerting people of the first persons fraudulent ways. Now I have no idea who the person is, but of course I am accused of being the "ringleader" of sorts, for the "anti-person #1" campaign launched by this mysterious second person.
Ive repeatedly taken up for myself with these emails and forum postings, to the point of desperation, because it seems no matter how much I try to "talk sense" to or about this person, the more he twists my words or the situation in general around to make it appear he is the victim. Thats his thing actually...pointing the finger at anyone but himself in order to smokescreen the real questions being directed at him.
Anyway, sorry for the novel, and theres actually much more....but what I want to know, is it feasible for me to bring a defamation suit against this person? I believe that he has infact at the very least damaged my reputation to some degree, especially with the KKK comments, not to mention has cost me potential sales of my products by those who may be too naive to know any better. Also keep in mind that as an artist, "reputation" is big part of the potential sales of my art works too, which I believe has also taken some damage.
Thanks for any advice and taking the time to read this long story, even tho it was shortened greatly!! lol!!
Now three plus years ago, there was a member of my site who made several antagonistic and derogatory remarks towards other members on a thread which essentially reported a lower selling price than the person had bragged about. The information was confirmed by two people attending the event auction including the person who won the item. But this was not acceptable to the builder, who continued to say it sold at a higher price and was very rude to anyone who contradicted him. I warned him to stop (as the admin of the site) and he continued, even sending me a nasty email too boot, so, I banned him from site.
Since that time, this person has taken every opportunity to belittle/harrass/defame me, my site and my products on various similar themed websites. However, over time, this person has been banned from at least 6 other sites for similar harrassment or rude comments.
He has also collected "membership fees" for a diecast club he founded...however on at least one occasion/year of operation, several of his members have complained of not receiving the promised member items after paying their dues.
The same person promised/contracted to produce several hundred custom diecast pieces to be given away at a large corporate sponsored convention, but did not come through with the complete amount and refuses to return the balance of money paid to him.
OK...thats enough of the "Back story".
This person has on numerous occasions, sent out mass emails (30-100 recipients per) which accuse me, or my site of some sort of wrong doing. The latest two or three have actually had my name, plus my website mentioned by name as being directly associated with the KKK, which I take major offense to!! He also blatantly calls my products defective, which is far from the truth as Ive been selling this product since 2001 and nothing but raves from users.
He has also been targeted by someone that apparently he has made very angry (other than myself) who has turned the tables on the first person, by anonymously send mass emails alerting people of the first persons fraudulent ways. Now I have no idea who the person is, but of course I am accused of being the "ringleader" of sorts, for the "anti-person #1" campaign launched by this mysterious second person.
Ive repeatedly taken up for myself with these emails and forum postings, to the point of desperation, because it seems no matter how much I try to "talk sense" to or about this person, the more he twists my words or the situation in general around to make it appear he is the victim. Thats his thing actually...pointing the finger at anyone but himself in order to smokescreen the real questions being directed at him.
Anyway, sorry for the novel, and theres actually much more....but what I want to know, is it feasible for me to bring a defamation suit against this person? I believe that he has infact at the very least damaged my reputation to some degree, especially with the KKK comments, not to mention has cost me potential sales of my products by those who may be too naive to know any better. Also keep in mind that as an artist, "reputation" is big part of the potential sales of my art works too, which I believe has also taken some damage.
Thanks for any advice and taking the time to read this long story, even tho it was shortened greatly!! lol!!
