distinguish between libel and slander?
153782
..slander is SPOKEN, get it right !
927123
To be slander, it must be a lie.  It must either cause a loss of income or a loss of prestiege.  For example, if I say "he is a red headed ugly man" that will be construed as an opinion.  If I say he robbed his last employer. That would be slander unless it is the truth.  The defense against slander is that it is the truth.
875431
Aliases could be used as substitutes for real names in order to evade cases of libel, defamation or other offenses.
369041
A customer in SC sued Pizza Hut for a racial slur that was printed on his receipt. You don't give any details, so I can't tell if your case would fall along similar lines, but it's certainly plausible, as long as actual defamation of character took place. Being abusive is not defamation.
798386
Unfortunately that is a tough one since for the most part we have freedom of speech. Call a lawyer and ask where the line between freedom of speech ends and slander begins.
124486
Anyone can say anything he or she wants in this country - however that person can be held accountable for damage, defamation, reckless disregard for truth of falsity, libel, slander, - and yes, Diamond D. is correct. \n\nEven if I do NOT like what some one says, publishes, broadcasts, it is not against the law unless it falls out side of Constitutionally protected speech.  We have no prior restraint ( Near V Minn ) and one can collect damages for Actual Malice ( New York Times vs Sullivan ) - if they are not a public figure.\n\nFreedom of speech comes with responsibility and consequences.  And again to the Love it or Leave its out there - I would NEVER censor or try to deny their rights to their free expression of opinion.  They are American citizens and their speech is as protected - as MINE is. \n\nWorks both ways - but I will support their rights to free speech even if they do NOT support mine.
66023
If this person used your real name and/or address, and said malicious untrue things about you, I think you have a pretty good case for defamation (libel). \nI say, go for it.\n\nRead this article for more information:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libel
787522
Yes, but it might be difficult to prove. It is called...i think slander or public defaming or something like that. Despite this, proof of the action(s) might be very difficult to prove, and the cost of the suit might not be reasonable.
190752
This is called DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER and is very seriuos\nif your character was tarnished ,you must proof the alegations were untrue to proceed in court for pain and suffering
455954
I beleive you can as long as there is nothing within it that could constitute slander or libel or be classified as an inflammatory comment.
1115400
None.\n\nIf somebody says something insulting then it is a person's choice to let that upset them or not.\n\nIf somebody has a story they can PROVE then they should have the right to tell it.
1033564
The poster above still just is'nt getting it\nSince when was reporting an actual infraction of the law a smear campaign?  The man was caught with an illegal documented perscription, end of story, THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED.  Now if some people choose to smear him that is their own perogative, but simply stating a fact is simply stating a fact
287092
You can sue anyone for anything at anytime, yet to sue sucessfully you need to prove this song represents defamation.\n\nThe elements that must be proved to establish defamation are: (1) A publication to one other than the person defamed; (2) of a false statement of fact; (3) which is understood as being of and concerning the plaintiff; and (4) which is understood in such a way as to tend to harm the reputation of plaintiff.\n\nI hope this helps
1124254
Most speech on the Internet is considered free speach.  I have included a link below that will help.  If there is defamation from that speech, then you can sue for damages, but you must have suffered a monitary loss and there must be proof that a certain person was out to harm you with this speech.
131948
Defamation is NOT protected under the first amendment protections of free speech.  However the defamation must be slanderous (false.)  If it is TRUE and it defames a person's reputation then it IS protected, eg.  Watergate (Nixon), Monica Lewisky (Clinton), etc...
326918
If the person is saying the things in some sort of public forum, you could sue for libel/slander, but if the person has merely filed charges with the police, the charges and any statements made to the police are given absolute privelege. If the DA proceeds with the charges, knowing that they are substantially untrue, you could sue them for malicious prosecution, but that's pretty hard to prove and probably wouldn't be worth it.
1042794
A slander case in civilian courts is a very hard thing to win. The slander has to be said to a third person and proven that it was said- preferably in writing. It's not slander if they said it to your face, basically. \n   In a military court, I donno - you had better inquire of the military atty on your base. Ask them if such a case against the person can even be brought , since they appear to be a civilian. Good luck.