07.04.2008

Seeking Bedbug Legal Aid

A lazyweb request for my readers:

Though writing this website may seem like the work of ten men, I also happen to run the Bedbug Registry, an online directory of reports by people who have been unlucky enough to encounter the insects in their hotel or apartment. Periodically I will receive email from irate landlords or management companies demanding that I take down a post, or divulge the identity of the person making a complaint (it's possible to post anonymously). So far I have been able to defuse these situations without getting taken to court, but as my viral marketing agents work their six-legged magic I figure it's only a matter of time.

The registry earns just about enough from Google ads to pay its hosting bill, so resources with which to pay a high-octane legal team are limited. But if anyone knows a good lawyer with experience in the area of online libel law, I would love to hear recommendations. I'm looking for occasional legal advice about specific cases and someone into whose arms I can run shrieking like a little girl if a process server finds me in Argentina. I also want to know the best way to protect the identity and right to speak out of the various traumatized people who are submitting their stories. Please send email (see sidebar) if you have any good leads.