Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $120 Million
It's days like today when I wonder what exactly goes on inside Jack Thompson's head.
Jack Thompson is suing social networking site Facebook for allowing users to post threatening messages about him in an "We Hate Jack Thompson" group.
Thompson has long been an advocate for protecting children from the violence and sex commonly found in games like Grand Theft Auto. Thompson was disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court in July of 2008. The court cited inappropriate conduct, including making false statements to tribunals and disparaging and humiliating litigants as the reason for Thompson's disbarment.
Thompson this week filed a suit against Facebook because the company did not respond to his requests to have threatening comments removed. According to Bloomberg, Thompson said the comments started after his 2006 interview on 60 Minutes. Users started a "We Hate Jack Thompson" group which they used to post comments such as, "Jack Thompson should be smacked across the face with an Atari 2600."
Thompson says in his lawsuit that he sent faxes to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in August and September. In his complaint the former-lawyer noted that a poll asking whether or not President Barack Obama should be assassinated was removed as soon as Facebook was notified and is currently being investigated by the United States Secret Service.
As a result, Thompson is claiming intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and failure to supervise the site. How much does he want? Oh just $120 million.
Do you think Facebook should have removed the group? Let us know below!
Read the full story on Bloomberg.
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"Jack Thompson SHOULD be smacked across the face with an Atari 2600."
Lmao.
Sure they should have deleted GENUINELY threatening comments, but I fail to see where having some internet kids trash talk about you is worth 120 million?
Not even 100,000.
Or maybe he has an artistic flair and is making a satirical statement about the suing culture of the US?
I mean it is funny.
He needs to get a new hobby... like woodworking, or taking cyanide
Has this guy ever produced anything of value in his life, or is he just a muckraking parasite?
AHHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Seriously, talking about assassination of a public figure, especially the President, is not funny. But a hyperbole about hitting an anti-gaming advocate with a game system is farce. It's not at all the same thing, and it only happens regardless because he's so uptight and unreasonable to begin with. You can't sue all your problems away, Jack. The more you try, the more people are going to pick on you.
Screw the atari 2600 get a genesis with a sega cd and slap this man! 120 million dollars? For what, because you made yourself a public figure and now expect to not hear bad things about you because of your stance on a controversial topic? Get a life or better yet go play a video game.
Has this guy ever produced anything of value in his life, or is he just a muckraking parasite?
He's a muckraking parasite.
hes not the smartest cookie in the jar is he?
if he is then that scares me :0
He's.. or rather *was*... a Lawyer.
Therefore, by education, training, certification, and profession, he IS a muckraking parasite.
Facebook should have at least responded to him. They have a history of ignoring its users when issues like this come up. And if death threats were made then they should have taken some action. If none were made, then it is obviously up to Facebook whether or not they want to take it down, but they should at least respond after his numerous petitions were sent no matter what they decided to do.
He's a muckraking parasite.
Careful--now he may try to sue Toms Guide for you saying that
If threats were made, then Facebook should take action. If not, then hey, public figures are fair game. But Facebook should have at least responded to him. They have a notorious reputation of ignoring its users whenever issues like this or others like an account getting hijacked come up.
He's.. or rather *was*... a Lawyer.Therefore, by education, training, certification, and profession, he IS a muckraking parasite.
...and besides: He was disbarred for his malfesance. Being Disbarred, he can no longer practice law and therefore needs an income. Because "Disbarred Muckraking Parasite" looks pretty bad on your resume, it logically follows that the best/easiest approach is to find some way to make someone else give him the income which he can no longer (earn?) for himself.
Enter: Facebook
I was at least hoping there were a boatload of people in that group.
But no, only 50.
51, now. Jerk.
look on the bright side. Maybe now he'll focus on Social Sites, instead of annoying gamers with his hatred of games made and rated for ADULTS. M=17+. don't take it out on those of us playing a game that is in our age group, you nazi. Take it out on the retailers that sell M-Rated Games to Minors. Wal-Mart, anyone?
he should do the world a huge favor and just crawl back in the hole he came from
Why waste a good Atari 2600? Smack him in the face with a CD-i, that'll do some damage and some good for the gaming community by removing one more horrific console from the pool.
Jack Thompson is depriving a village somewhere of its idiot.
Everything that's happened to JT is nothing short of his own fault. His popularity was earned through witch-hunts and lack of reason. If anything he doesn't deserve the slap by an atari... he deserves being thrown in a pit and stoned by a barage of Sega Dreamcasts.
The suit is for $40 million NOT $120 million.
He was in the Supreme Court which means he was a self induced public figure, which means people can say they want to rape him with an Xbox 360 controller and he can't do anything about it, that's the law.
The suit is for $40 million NOT $120 million.
Hrm, Bloomberg seems to think it's $120 million, GoodGearGuide thinks it's $40 million. Most sites (Slashdot, etc.) are referencing the GoodGearGuide... I think we can agree, whatever the number, that some muckraker is feeling butt-hurt and now desires excessive compensation for people being upset that he's a jerk.
Jack Thompson should be smacked across the face, repeatedly, with an Atari 2600. Wonder if he'll try to sue me or tomsguide for letting me post this comment.
jack thompson is an idiot
I'm joining the group right now.
It's not threatening messages, you chicken (Jack Thompson).
You need to get a new life or a brain. I think a brain would be easier.
jack thompson is a chihuahua. cant do jack (no pun), but so damn loud and obnoxious. there are other ways to get rich, jack, like hard work. ever had a one to one with it? didn't think so
This is curious. Since most of the group's participants are Americans, since Facebook is headquartered on American soil, and since Jack Thompson is an American, does that mean that American Free Speech rights apply? If so, case closed. Jack Thompson should be struck about the face with an Atari 2600 for wasting the Jury's time (Which IMHO, is a greater crime than insulting people over the internet).
However, if we suddenly decide to use international laws about free speech, all bets are off.
Personally, I'm rooting for the Atari.
"Jack Thompson should be smacked across the face with an Atari 2600." bahaha, That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Not only are there thosands of other "we hate so and so" groups, but Internet threats are hollow threats at best. This is America, and I have the right to say whatever I want about whoever I want in a social networking group. $120 million, he he he......
He's a prime example of trash. If there was only an easy way to jail up some trash or throw it out completely. Sure, it's not criminal by law, but really? You're hurt because little kids are calling you names? Does that mean all little kids in pre-school can sue other little kids in pre-school for $120 mil? or even $120.00? What a waste of everyone's time and resource.