Weapon X Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Officer Bubbles suing youtube. http://www.thestar.com/news/article/876487--officer-bubbles-sues-youtube-and-users-over-cartoons When he first saw a video of a Toronto constable threatening to arrest a G20 protester for blowing bubbles, one YouTube user was so livid, he couldn’t stop writing comments. In fact, the man, who uses the alias “theforcebewithme,” can’t even remember writing the specific comment that now has him defending a $1.2 million defamation lawsuit launched by Toronto’s now notorious “Officer Bubbles.” Const. Adam Josephs seeks to compel the Google-owned YouTube to reveal the identity of the person who created and posted the videos as well as any information it has on the 24 other users who made allegedly defamatory remarks. The case highlights a collision between two worlds: The wild-west of social media, where people under aliases throw insults without pause versus the laws of the old media world, where people are held accountable for everything they write. “I thought my opinion was my opinion in this country. I probably might not even post anymore,” said “theforcebewithme,” a 59-year-old government employee from New Brunswick who refused to give his real name. Josephs’ lawsuit isn’t targeting the video that sparked his infamy, but a collection of eight cartoons posted to the popular video website that show a police officer resembling Josephs engaging in abusive acts of power. The animations depict an officer named “A. Josephs” arresting a variety of people — from Santa Claus to U.S. President Barack Obama — as well as punching a news photographer. In his statement of claim, Josephs calls the cartoons and several comments “devastatingly defamatory,” alleging they have brought him “ridicule, scandal and contempt both personally and as a member of the (Toronto Police Service).” He claims the animations have also resulted in threats against him and his family. “The reaction was way beyond anything that our client should have to deal with or should expect from carrying out his duties as a police officer to protect the public,” one of Josephs’ lawyers, James Zibarras, said. The statement of claim alleges the comments included theforcebewithme’s jab: “If this steroid addicted Nazi has children, they must be sooooo embarrassed.” The cartoons — and the account of the user who posted them — have already vanished from the site. “A large part of what we’re trying to do is just get the stuff down,” Zibarras said. “I don’t know what further steps we’re going to take at this stage.” Earlier this month, several of the defendants received notices from Google asking whether they wanted the website to disclose their identities. Not surprisingly, it appears none did. Josephs’ lawyers haven’t yet received any of the YouTube commentators’ real identities. However, online anonymity won’t necessarily protect people’s identities, as the website can be ordered by the court to provide users’ IP address and other information, said lawyer Tony Wong, a partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP who specializes in media and privacy law. On Friday, a Manhattan judge gave Google 15 days to reveal any information it has on the identities of three cyberbullies who labeled a woman a “whore” on YouTube. “I think there’s a real ignorance among the public about the risks of posting user comments or Twittering or blogging. The technology is new but the same laws of libel apply,” said Wong. “Every time you post a comment on YouTube, a newspaper’s website, a blog, you can be sued for defamation by anyone whose reputation has been harmed by your comment.” The original video of Const. Josephs became a symbol for what many viewed as heavy-handed policing during the G20 summit that brought world leaders to Toronto in June. In the clip, the 52 Division officer sternly tells the woman protesting on Queen St. W: “If the bubble touches me, you’re going to be arrested for assault.” One of the YouTube users being sued said that by launching the suit, Josephs is only reinforcing the image that he over-reacted to the bubble blowing. “I think they’re trying to control the situation and, in reality, it’s just making it worse for the guy,” said the man, who also refused to give his real name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire15 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Too bad the bubbles weren't mixed with cyanide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxcarrapist Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allah Snackbar Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 links to cartoons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frate_Raper Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 that cop was a faggot........and black fuck him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T4M* Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Stop it guys. now they are gonna sue 12oz..... lulz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armand hammer Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 oh noez da bublez in ma ayz. also smash bubble chick and blonde cop. and these faggots can't protest..oh dear a few police have started moving on you..its a riot move forward and crush some skulls :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tails0nE Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 wow this nigga really threatened to arrest shorty for some fucking bubbles.... how would that ever stand up in court...? "so you're here today for assaulting an officer... with bubbles....." fuckouttaheeeeaaaaaaaaa...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoHuxtable.. Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoHuxtable.. Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 G20 protesters are annoying. Same shit every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penmanship Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 I liked the part where the man was afraid of bubbles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SystemFailure Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Waiting for the pics of cops beating the fuck out of bubble boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymatics Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 his own partner can't even fucking believe it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the graff giraffe Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 protesters are just fags in general unless it's a good cause. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toluene_causes_tumors Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 protesters are just fags in general *fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toluene_causes_tumors Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 lawsuits over youtube comments???? what????? grow some fucking balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoHuxtable.. Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 BLACK CANADIAN PEOPLE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightmareOnElmStreet Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaolinmasta Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 haha pathetic dumb fucking cop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicineCabinet Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 <("<) <( ' ' )> (>")> <( ' ' )> <("<) <( ' ' )> (>")> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnarly Sheen Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 slad ass cop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viperface Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPS Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sausage party Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 all this. LOLz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoopit Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 These protesters instigate these kinds of action from the officers, the officers over reaction show what kind of power possesed children they are throwning temper tandrams when nazi demands aren't met. on a side note: I would be quick to punch a hippie for passively aggesively blowing bubbles in my face to get reactions out of me.....no questions ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellow Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 yea but you dont know wwhd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoopit Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Probably puddle me with a vile of concentrated lavender. No realy, he would try to fight back till he relizes my hand to hand skills a far supierior to any human he has ever competed against. besides only trust fund hippies blow bubbles in peoples faces, real hippies have better things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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