A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that the operators of online forums are not responsible for remarks made by users of their forums, even if those remarks rise to the level of defamation.

The case centered around the “Eye on Emerson” website, which purported to keep its eye on the town of Emerson, New Jersey.

Apparently a few of Emerson’s town council members took issue with remarks posted on the Eye’s website. Most specifically, to remarks which characterized one member as a “hate mongering political boob”, and another as a “fashion violation” and “Queen of Hate”. Following the posting of the remarks, in 2001, Emerson town council members Gina Calogero and Vincent Donato… [Continued...]