John W. Dozier Jr. - GoogleTM Bomb: The Untold Story of the $11.3M Verdict That Changed the Way We Use the Internet

PRAISE FOR GOOGLE BOMB

Google Bomb is a great book! The Constitution protects free speech, but slander is not free speech. Only cowards use slander as a means of expression; we should be able to know who the cowards of this world are and hold them accountable, and Google Bomb helps readers do that.

Senator Walter G. Skip Campbell Jr.

I haven't been this affected by a book in a long time. I went from a shaking rage to knots in my stomach to tears and finally to cheers. What happened to Sue could happen to any of us, and Google Bombs practical guidance makes this a highly profound and useful book that the world needs to read.

Michele Borba, Ed.D., parenting expert, author of
The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, andToday Showcontributor

The Internet is a wonderful informational tool with the focus being on informationalnot character assassination, which is cyber bullying. As a result of Sue Scheff s being cyber bullied, Google Bomb has been written to educate people about the Internet, cyber bullying, and the horrifying effects that cyber bullying can have on a person. Some children are so tormented that they use suicide as an alternative to ease their pain. There are some adults whose lives have been turned upside down and businesses that have faced financial ruin. Google Bomb offers solutions to virtual threats and character assassinations and is a wake-up call as to why we need tough legislation to protect the innocentwhether they be children, adults, or businesses. Bravo to Sue Scheff and John W. Dozier Jr. for writing this much-needed book.

Ross Ellis, founder and chief executive officer,
Love Our Children USA

"The Internet can be a wonderful resource for adults and students alike. But as Sue Scheff 's story illustrates, it can also be the perfect platform for a bully. Parents need to teach their kids to be safe online, just as they teach them to be safe in the "real" world, and Google Bomb offers a game plan that even a technophobe can execute. A must read for anyone who's ever posted their name on the Internet, but especially for those whose kids are doing so every day."

Danielle Wood, editor-in-chief, education.com

Google Bomb is an instructive and timely book that will only become increasingly relevant as our laws catch up to the realities of today's evolving technology. Sue's triumph over her attacker underscores the principle that there is no constitutionally protected right to defame others online.

Fatima R. Fahmy, attorney-at-law

Google
BOMB

John W. Dozier Jr.
and Sue Scheff

www.hcibooks.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Dozier, John W.

Google bomb : the untold story of the $11.3m verdict that changed the way
we use the Internet / by John W. Dozier, Jr. and Sue Scheff.

p. cm.

eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9593-2 eISBN-10: 0-7573-9593-7

1. Google (Firm) 2. Internet industryUnited States. 3. Internet searching.
4. Information society. I. Scheff, Sue. II. Title.

HD9696.8.U64G6636 2009

338.7'6102504dc22

2009025598

2009 John W. Dozier Jr., and Sue Scheff

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

HCI, its logos, and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 334428190

Cover photo Media Bakery, Rubberball
Cover design by Larissa Hise Henoch
Interior design and formatting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

CONTENTS

FROM JOHN DOZIER JR.

When I received a call about doing a book on online defamation in the spring of 2008, I recalled a lunch seven years earlier. A good friend had encouraged me to write the book on the law of the web. I was fresh off a ride on the Internet bubble of the late 1990s, having founded a venture-backed e-commerce company and anxious to get back to being a trial lawyer. Not enough time, I thought, but in retrospect that was just an excuse to put off for tomorrow what did not at the time seem necessary.

By the spring of 2008, things had changed. That call made me realize that writing about what I knew was not only necessary, but essential. And so it is. I want to thank Sue Scheff for having the courage to write her story. She wont tell you how trying and painful it was recalling the nastiness. She had the courage and conviction to move this project forward even knowing that the worst for her may be yet to come because of it.

Michele Matrisciani has been the driving force in so enthusiastically ushering this project through HCI, our publisher. Her vision, foresight, and understanding have been exceptional, and Michele was willing to let me do it my way. The entire family at HCI has been impressively supportive and professional, and for that I express my deep and sincere appreciation.

This book would not have been written had not a well-regarded author set aside her time to support, cajole, and manage both Sue and me. She pulled the strings, focused the thoughts, spotted the holes, and led this effort in a way that made my writing far easier. Olivia, words cannot express the contribution you have made. You are a consummate professional in every sense of the word and someone I will hold in high esteem even when the Google Bombs are dropping all over me!

I wrote my portion of this book personally and I am responsible for any inaccuracies or errors. My informal editing team of Lisa Casey, Don Morris, Cameron Gilbert, and Nick Moraites provided excellent suggestions and feedback. Victoria Lawson and Lisa were always ready, willing, and able to deal with the marketing and public relations aspects of writing this book as I ran the Dozier Internet Law firm and then went home and wrote each night for months. Each of you contributed mightily to my ability to undertake this project.

On a personal note, I owe a debt of gratitude to Katrina Dozier for finding the time to deal with many of the everyday challenges of raising two teenagers. To my two sons, John III and Justin, thank you for understanding that Dad really, really needed to do something important every night for what must have seemed like an eternity. I love you. To my brothers and sister, I appreciate your advice, support, and guidance through the years.

As I move on, I realize that I may never pass this way again. I leave with a feeling of satisfaction that I believe I have offered a message of hope and not of despair. This has been an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. I am forever indebted to each and every member of the team.

My words are dedicated to the memory of my father, Reverend John W. Dozier, and my mother, Viola E. Dozier. Dad was a Washington and Lee University law school graduate who decided the ministry was his calling. He was an avid and skilled writer. These words come from my mouth, but the underlying principles of honesty, decency, and caring come from both of your hearts. Dad, for all of those rejection letters you received over the years, you finally got published! And I believe you and Mom have spoken well.

Finally, thank you America for the First Amendment and free speech, without which this book would never have been written. We must be ever vigilant in protecting legitimate free speech on all flanks, but we must never forget that the greatest threat to our fundamental rights and values will come from the wolves in sheeps clothing.