November 7, 2017:

People write bad things about Celebrities all the time on social media.

Social media has overflowed with the sexual misconduct allegations during last few weeks.

The 450-word post that Melanie Kohler put on Facebook probably had the shortest life — a few hours. It may also have been the first to get its author sued.

As torrent of the accusations continues, it is unlikely to be last.

Mark G Clark, a Michigan lawyer specialising in the online defamation cases. stated that,“The lid is off. Power to people. Anyone can have their grievance heard. But at the same time, anyone can be irresponsible and malicious.”

Michigan lawyer further added that the Facebook and Twitter see themselves as the neutral platforms that cannot take a side in disputes. So the aggrieved call the lawyers. “We get inquiries daily: ‘I’ve been defamed online. What can you do to help?’.

Kohler, who runs a scuba diving company in Hawaii with her husband, had both narrow and far-reaching goals when she wrote her Facebook post on October 18.

 

Melaine Kohler wrote in her Facebook post that incident happened in the year 2004 or 2005, at that time, she was doing marketing for a now-defunct start-up energy drink in Los Angeles. She had met Brett Ratner, who is American Fim Producer at a club and had gone with him to his friend’s house.

“He forced himself on me after I said no and no and no again,” she wrote in her Facebook post.

Kohler's Attorney stated that,“There were only two people there, Brett Ratner and Melanie, No other witnesses. One is telling the truth, and one is not. So the question is, why is Melanie going to come out with it now, other than with goal she has to help other women, and to make sure Brett Ratner or anyone else is unable to do this again?”

Brett Ratner’s suit may not only be first; it might also be something of a test case for whole concept of pushing back in court. To the extent that the suit draws attention to the accusations that might have gotten little publicity without corroboration, it may backfire and set a precedent that others are reluctant to emulate.

Marty Singer, who is Ratner's Attorney explained before the suit was filed, that how he policed the internet on behalf of Hollywood stars.

M. Singer further added that,“I have hundreds of high-profile clients, People write bad things about them all the time on the social media, but you have to figure out when to deal with it and when not to deal with it.”

 

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