Privacy Claim Based on Republication of Web Posting Is Rejected

FRESNO, Calif. — Comments posted on a publicly accessible website are not private and the poster cannot sue for invasion of privacy when the comments are republished, according to a California appellate court.

California’s 5th District Court of Appeal last week affirmed a Fresno Superior Court judgment, which rejected a claim from a UC Berkeley student, whose MySpace.com page included a phrase that she “despise[d]” her hometown of Coalinga.

The case is of significant interest to the adult entertainment industry, which heavily uses message boards and social-networking sites to market their products, personas and other activities.

It emphasizes the obvious in the court of law: Anything one posts can and will be used against them.

Cynthia Moreno posted her 700-word “Ode to Coalinga” on her MySpace page after visiting the town of 19,000 residents midway between Sacramento and Los Angeles.

She began by saying “the older I get, the more I realize how much I despise Coalinga,” and then made several negative comments about the town and its inhabitants.

The entry was posted only six days but was long enough for Roger Campbell, principal of Coalinga High School, to find the story and forward it to the editor of the Coalinga Record. Her ode was published in the newspaper’s letters section.

Local reaction was harsh, according to the suit, and included death threats and a gunshot fired at her family’s home.

Her father’s 20-year-old business — which wasn’t identified in the complaint — lost so much money that it was closed, the suit claimed, and the family moved out of town.

Moreno and her family sued Campbell, the Coalinga Record and the Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, alleging invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The publisher was dismissed from the suit, and eventually Fresno Superior Court Judge Adolfo Corona sustained demurrers dismissing the complaints against the remaining defendants.

In Thursday’s decision, 5th District Court of Appeal Justice Bert Levy wrote that “once posted on MySpace.com, this article was available to anyone with Internet access.”

“The facts contained in the article were not private,” ruled Levy, who noted that Moreno’s “potential audience was vast.”

“Cynthia’s affirmative act made her article available to any person with a computer and, thus, opened it to the public eye,” Levy wrote. “Under these circumstances, no reasonable person would have had an expectation of privacy regarding the published material.”

Levy said that her comments to be republished did not constitute intentional infliction of emotional distress because it was not outrageous conduct as a matter of law.

Colin Hardacre, of Los Angeles-based Kaufman Law Group, said he has some advice for adult business professionals who chat it up on message boards like GFY.com, XXXPornTalk.com and others.

“This just reinforces what we tell all our adult clients — stay off the boards!” Hardacre told XBIZ.

This is especially true if you are involved in litigation, Kaufman Law's Gary Kaufman said. “Anything you post online is public as soon as you press submit — when it’s online it’s a posting; at trial, it’s called evidence,” Kaufman told XBIZ.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Eye of Love Debuts 'Pheromone Roll-On Duo' From Bloom Line

Eye of Love has introduced the Pheromone Roll-On Duo fragrance set from its Bloom collection.

Full Circle Releases 'Grinders' Collection

Pleasure brand Full Circle has debuted its new Grinders collection of discreet vibrators.

Doc Johnson, Polynesian Pleasures Ink Distro Deal

Pleasure brand Polynesian Pleasures has signed a deal with Doc Johnson for global distribution.

Isa Bella, Selena Ivy Topline 'Lesbian Sex 28'

Isa Bella and Selena Ivy headline the latest release from Girlfriends Films, titled “Lesbian Sex 28.”

Catherine Knight Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Catherine Knight stars in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "GRWM (To Fuck)."

Sydney Screams, Creature Feature Toys & Tailends Studios Launch Limited Partnership

Sydney Screams, Creature Feature Toys, and Tailends Studios have launched a one-month campaign to produce customizable dildos, with some proceeds benefiting SWAID Collective.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

Elegant Angel Premieres Nicole Kitt Showcase 'Cats Eye'

Nicole Kitt gets the spotlight in a new four-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Sexpo Australia Founder Launches SexEx

Sexpo Australia founder David Ross has launched his new adult lifestyle expo, SexEx.

Private Releases 'The Love Hotel 2'

Private has released “The Love Hotel 2,” directed by Dave Menich.

Show More