Assume all you want, posting a letter on the internet is just that, posting a letter on the internet.
If they really intended to go to court over this, they would have a specialist libel lawyer, not an entertainment lawyer, handling it, and they would not be posting shit about it on the internet.
I'd think a common form of case for their clients, would be something they'd be well versed in.
That is all well and good, but since Freyermuth, as an entertainment lawyer, probably spent most of his time dealing with agents and negotiating actor's contracts, and by his own firms admission, is focused on financing and production, I doubt he has much experience handling defamation, highlighted by use of the term slanderous allegations, when they would be libelous allegations since they are in print.
At the end of the day, none of it matters anyway, as until they actually file a complaint and do take it to court, it is just as you stated, posturing.
I doubt they will post the legal documents to the internet.
This letter has been posted because many backers have demanded a clear response ... and CIG did.
Have fun
I never claimed anything of the sort, all I said was the letter is just that, a letter, not a legal document.
A simple statement along the lines of "We have lawyers dealing with this issue" would be a clear response, and should have been enough to satisfy backers demands.
The letter is BS, pure and simple, hell, they can not even state a reporters gender correctly in it.
A creative person is motivated by the desire to achieve, not the desire to beat others.
There's an update on the official site with a five-page legal document that's been sent to The Escapist. That's the official RSI site it's an update to the letter from the Chairman that was sent
Name me one single game Derek Smart has made that was successful and not a pile of trash?
NONE! All games by Derek Smart have been failed piles of trash!
Just look at his latest game and the response on Steam! A year later it's still in "Early Access", after having taking people's money and it's still a pile of trash! /FACEPALM
Maybe instead of putting all his energy in attacking other people, he should put that energy into his own games!!!
So far what SC has delivered in modules with Star Citizen is actually working and playable. /shrug
Wow. That letter is absolutely absurd. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the article, and Roberts was indeed given a chance to respond. Predictably, he responded with nothing but personal attacks and vague statements.
I love how the Star Citizen Defense Forces, as well as Roberts himself, continue to draw Derek Smart into this when it's been proven he had NOTHING to do with the article in question. Absolutely laughable, and the ridiculous responses and threats by Roberts come off as a child throwing a temper tantrum. Even more laughable is that people still defend him. You could practically change his name to Jason Appleton at this point.
No, Lizzy's career isn't ruined. Merely saying something stupid like that shows just how out of touch with reality you are. And if you're going to make allegations that the story was 'shopped around', back it up with something. Oh wait, you can't. Boo hoo.
Oh, and just because you don't see a badge on pictures doesn't meant they don't exist. Almost every company, especially one which might be subject to entry attempts by competitors, journalists, or anyone else has a corporate ID badge of some sort. I have old badges from several places of employment. A couple are wearable, but most are simply cards issued for identification purposes, as well as being used to clock in for the day.
The whole Escapist article was absurd! It was pure slander against Chris Roberts with zero facts that could be backed up with evidence in any way!
I have been laid off myself twice in last 5 years due to downsizing and restructuring. This happens all the time. And while I am angry I got laid off, after having worked my ass off the last year on projects with lots of overtime and been dumped with a lousy severance package.... I have no need to vent my frustration into the public and slander my former employer in public.
I just move on and find another job! /shrug
And if you think Derek Smart isn't behind this, then you truly are utterly naïve.
They may be in trouble over the HR comments if they cannot back them up, and I'm guessing this will be the main focus of the 'legal action'. As for the financial mismanagement, we will probably never know as this will not be the battleground issue here. Well - we will never know until they run out of money!
Clickbait trash journalism at it's finest. A good healthy dose of conflict of interest when you see all of the people that are buddies around the editor and writer of the article.
There's an update on the official site with a five-page legal document that's been sent to The Escapist. That's the official RSI site it's an update to the letter from the Chairman that was sent
To save you some time digging, here is some data FYI:
I am a backer of Star Citizen. I like that project and space sims in general.
Whenever possible i post verifyable information (dare i say the word ? ...facts...).
Or my personal opinion .. marked as such.
I
have one ship - a Constellation. Never had more than that one ship. I
do not (and never did) trade SC ships for money or other ships.
I
am a subscriber and have therefore access to the "Den" forum and "Jump
Point" magazine. Being a backer I have access to the official forums.
I
am not working in the gaming industry. I am not employed by CIG or any
of its contractors. And never was. I am not a computer gaming
journalist, vblogger or streamer. I am not being paid for anything i
write here at mmorpg.com ... not with money, nor with goods (like in
game ships). By anyone.
When someone posts claims and calls them "truth", I ask for proof and/or links to verify.
Any
"truth" without proof is just a rumour or an (usually unmarked)
personal opinion. And is being called a rumour by me or others.
Having said that i was full of mirth hearing that some people will soon expose my financial ties to CIG. They seem to know more than i do.
To save you some time digging, here is some data FYI:
I am a backer of Star Citizen. I like that project and space sims in general.
Whenever possible i post verifyable information (dare i say the word ? ...facts...).
Or my personal opinion .. marked as such.
I
have one ship - a Constellation. Never had more than that one ship. I
do not (and never did) trade SC ships for money or other ships.
I
am a subscriber and have therefore access to the "Den" forum and "Jump
Point" magazine. Being a backer I have access to the official forums.
I
am not working in the gaming industry. I am not employed by CIG or any
of its contractors. And never was. I am not a computer gaming
journalist, vblogger or streamer. I am not being paid for anything i
write here at mmorpg.com ... not with money, nor with goods (like in
game ships). By anyone.
When someone posts claims and calls them "truth", I ask for proof and/or links to verify.
Any
"truth" without proof is just a rumour or an (usually unmarked)
personal opinion. And is being called a rumour by me or others.
Having said that i was full of mirth hearing that some people will soon expose my financial ties to CIG. They seem to know more than i do.
I would assume someone will try the stunt that Chris Roberts and Sandi Gardiner are "celebrities" and therefore have to put up with more scrutiny than others (which is usually the way paparazzi justify their work).
But as this also involves the CIG HR personnel, IMHO that "celebrity" thing won't work here.
CIG HR personnel can not be identified from the article, so they don't have a libel case. Only parties who can be identified have a libel case - that means Christ Roberts, Sandi Gardiner, and CIG as company.
It's unlikely the court would find that CIG's privacy as company would prevent Escapist from publishing the article.
If it goes to court I think it'll come to 1. Are the statements true, and 2. Did the Escapist verify them well enough
Anyone know if KS money can be used in litigation? I honestly don't know.
Chris Roberts was not exactly penniless before the crowdfunding campaign .....
Have fun
Agreed, but if he's actually serious about litigating a journalist it won't be cheap. the # suits against one vs the # of decisions awarded against one are kinda one sided. He'll need a firm most likely.
There's an update on the official site with a five-page legal document that's been sent to The Escapist. That's the official RSI site it's an update to the letter from the Chairman that was sent
I would wait until something happens, that is just another bunch of words.
Why do some people take what someone says over the internet the 100% truth, if you take the article, derek smart and what every responses christ roberts has too say away from the subject.
The game is late and they raised a lot more money that the original game was suppose to cost, that is why i see there could be a problem.
Anyone know if KS money can be used in litigation? I honestly don't know.
Chris Roberts was not exactly penniless before the crowdfunding campaign .....
Have fun
Agreed, but if he's actually serious about litigating a journalist it won't be cheap. the # suits against one vs the # of decisions awarded against one are kinda one sided. He'll need a firm most likely.
I actually hope The Escapist retracts most of what CIG want's them to. That would leave it with an article that simply says that multiple sources with previous affiliation with the company says CIG is running out of money. Then we can lay all these diversions to rest and focus on the real issue.
The status of the monetary situation is the only issue that really matters in the end.
hmmm re reading it wonder why they tie everything to the allegations. He does realize the article only used the source's own words and made no allegations in it's own right? Assuming they were honest in their vet process They don't have to defend the allegations, they only have to show in a closed session what they used. That's banking a whole lot of $ hoping the glass door theory is correct. Defeat that and the whole prima facie for the case is gone
EDIT in the end, Escapists is only responsible for it's own words actions and meeting journalist standards on vetting sources. Not sure I would go this route.
Is there much basis for libel? Throughout the article phrases are prefixed with "It was also alleged...", "According to the sources...", "It was also claimed..." No where is it being stated as fact, anything that is claimed is entirely attributed to the sources. The author offers no personal opinion on her own behalf or on behalf of the magazine itself.
Anyone know if KS money can be used in litigation? I honestly don't know.
If not, that would really only count for about $6 million dollars that came from kickstarter, the rest of the money came from the website store. So I don't think you can really apply the same stipulations to it, if they exist. Like Erillion said though, he wasn't exactly broke before the KS.
Edit: I'm sure he's still making money from his Wing Commander movie being on Netflix, and whatever else he makes residuals on.
hmmm re reading it wonder why they tie everything to the allegations. He does realize the article only used the source's own words and made no allegations in it's own right? Assuming they were honest in their vet process They don't have to defend the allegations, they only have to show in a closed session what they used. That's banking a whole lot of $ hoping the glass door theory is correct. Defeat that and the whole prima facie for the case is gone
Not quite, there's more than just the Glassdoor argument there. There's the issue of non existing badges being used as ID. There's the issue that The Escapist published an article furthering the allegations of DS, before the article in mention. Thus showing an already biased view against CIG, before their new allegations. Also the fact DS had previous knowledge of the article, as well as it being shopped around to other media outlets and turned down.
I'd say that's quite a bit more than just the glassdoor issue, although it remains.
The non existing badge is the only one relevant. Unless they have a communication/money chain between Escapist and other parties they can't meet burden of proof to even include the rest as part of the case. Without some type of corroboration it constitutes hearsay. The badge thing however....gets a bag of popcorn
Comments
How many threads, oh lord, how many threads?
Bartoni's Law definition: As an Internet discussion grows volatile, the probability of a comparison involving Donald Trump approaches 1.
At the end of the day, none of it matters anyway, as until they actually file a complaint and do take it to court, it is just as you stated, posturing.
I never claimed anything of the sort, all I said was the letter is just that, a letter, not a legal document.
A simple statement along the lines of "We have lawyers dealing with this issue" would be a clear response, and should have been enough to satisfy backers demands.
The letter is BS, pure and simple, hell, they can not even state a reporters gender correctly in it.
A creative person is motivated by the desire to achieve, not the desire to beat others.
MAGA
Oh wow... shit got serious now!
:O
New players can get a welcome package and old/returning players can also get a welcome back package and 7 days free subscription time! Just click here to use my referral invitation
NONE! All games by Derek Smart have been failed piles of trash!
Just look at his latest game and the response on Steam! A year later it's still in "Early Access", after having taking people's money and it's still a pile of trash! /FACEPALM
Maybe instead of putting all his energy in attacking other people, he should put that energy into his own games!!!
So far what SC has delivered in modules with Star Citizen is actually working and playable. /shrug
The whole Escapist article was absurd! It was pure slander against Chris Roberts with zero facts that could be backed up with evidence in any way!
I have been laid off myself twice in last 5 years due to downsizing and restructuring. This happens all the time. And while I am angry I got laid off, after having worked my ass off the last year on projects with lots of overtime and been dumped with a lousy severance package.... I have no need to vent my frustration into the public and slander my former employer in public.
I just move on and find another job! /shrug
And if you think Derek Smart isn't behind this, then you truly are utterly naïve.
Life IS Feudal
Yet they strangely DONT argue that the accusation that they are running out of money, which is the core of the whole thing, is false and slander.
Wonder why...
To save you some time digging, here is some data FYI:
I am a backer of Star Citizen. I like that project and space sims in general.
Whenever possible i post verifyable information (dare i say the word ? ...facts...).
Or my personal opinion .. marked as such.
I have one ship - a Constellation. Never had more than that one ship. I do not (and never did) trade SC ships for money or other ships.
I am a subscriber and have therefore access to the "Den" forum and "Jump Point" magazine. Being a backer I have access to the official forums.
I am not working in the gaming industry. I am not employed by CIG or any of its contractors. And never was. I am not a computer gaming journalist, vblogger or streamer. I am not being paid for anything i write here at mmorpg.com ... not with money, nor with goods (like in game ships). By anyone.
When someone posts claims and calls them "truth", I ask for proof and/or links to verify.
Any "truth" without proof is just a rumour or an (usually unmarked) personal opinion. And is being called a rumour by me or others.
Having said that i was full of mirth hearing that some people will soon expose my financial ties to CIG. They seem to know more than i do.
Have fun
It's unlikely the court would find that CIG's privacy as company would prevent Escapist from publishing the article.
If it goes to court I think it'll come to
1. Are the statements true, and
2. Did the Escapist verify them well enough
Have fun
Agreed, but if he's actually serious about litigating a journalist it won't be cheap. the # suits against one vs the # of decisions awarded against one are kinda one sided. He'll need a firm most likely.
Why do some people take what someone says over the internet the 100% truth, if you take the article, derek smart and what every responses christ roberts has too say away from the subject.
The game is late and they raised a lot more money that the original game was suppose to cost, that is why i see there could be a problem.
Erillion still qouting Chris Roberts i see. lol
The status of the monetary situation is the only issue that really matters in the end.
EDIT in the end, Escapists is only responsible for it's own words actions and meeting journalist standards on vetting sources. Not sure I would go this route.
No where is it being stated as fact, anything that is claimed is entirely attributed to the sources. The author offers no personal opinion on her own behalf or on behalf of the magazine itself.
Edit: I'm sure he's still making money from his Wing Commander movie being on Netflix, and whatever else he makes residuals on.
I'd say that's quite a bit more than just the glassdoor issue, although it remains.