This is on the front page of the Plain Dealer today. The state supreme court ruled Thursday that an out-of-state person or business can be sued in Ohio for posting derogatory Internet comments about someone who lives in Ohio.

Attorney Brett Jaffe says "I think it sends a very clear message to people both in this state and throughout the United States that the Internet is not to be used for means to destroy people whether intentionally or unintentionally."

The case stems from a 2006 business deal that soured.

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I think that a lot of online bashing in the past met up with out-of-state practices that made it nearly impossible to sue someone for harrassment. If other states implenent this ruling I'm betting we're going to see a big increase in law suits. I can't see people not venting about bad service, etc though, whether it's just a passing comment or a full fledge attack scenario, people will bitch about stuff.