Communications Decency Act Forecloses Liability For "Amplifying," "Endorsing" And "Adopting" Defamatory Statements With Hyperlink

Two weeks ago, in Vazquez v. Buhl, the Appeals Court of Connecticut affirmed dismissal of a defamation claim against CNBC for hyperlinking to an online report by journalist Teri Buhl. The Court held that, although CNBC allegedly "amplified," "endorsed" and "adopted" the offending report, it was not a "content provider" under the Communications Decency Act (CDA).

The Sex and Money Scandal Rocking Hedge Fund Land

In 2012, reporter John Carney published a blog post on CNBC.com entitled The Sex and Money Scandal Rocking Hedge Fund Land. It concerned a Connecticut man who reported to police that his personal assistant had embezzled over $150,000.  The assistant told police she was a "highly paid escort," and admitted to having sex voluntarily with the man and his fiancée, but apparently insisted that the money she took was to compensate her for more quotidian services rendered.