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ARTICLE · 11 SEPTEMBER 2024

Free Speech On Trial: Significant Damages Awarded Against YouTuber Liable In Defamation

McMillan LLP
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In the recent decision of I Buy Beauty LLC v. Dong, 2024 BCSC 815, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") found a professional YouTuber liable for defamation and awarded $350,000 in damages...

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Carina Chiu
Carina Chiu
Pablo Tseng
Pablo Tseng
Respina Rostamifar
Respina Rostamifar
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In the recent decision of I Buy Beauty LLC v. Dong, 2024 BCSC 815, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") found a professional YouTuber liable for defamation and awarded $350,000 in damages, including aggravated and punitive damages, to the corporate plaintiff and its CEO.

The Court denounced the defendant's conduct, finding that he had caused "profound harm" to the reputation of the plaintiffs and that he "demonstrated a total lack of contrition." The defendant's conduct included falsely and publicly describing the plaintiffs as having engaged in criminal activity, including stealing credit card information and funds from customers and money laundering. The defendant encouraged viewers of his social media content to report the plaintiffs to criminal authorities.

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