What Defamation of Character Really Is - An Indept Look

Many people have seen users that are rude and abusive towards other users. What many don't realize is that when things get out of control and the abusive attacks become personal insults on a persons integrity or honor legal action CAN be taken against the abuser. Lets define for a second what defamation of character is. In law, defamation (also called calumny, libel, slander, and vilification) is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation) Where as simple name calling online isn't really by definition libel or defamation of character most of us let that sort of thing slide. however what we cannot let slide are the more serious attacks. For example if someone where to say on a profile site, accusing you of being a pimp that pimps out girls (which would not be true because you are not a pimp) that would be an insult to your integrity and it would shed a negative light on your personal reputation. That sort of thing is defamation of character and one can take legal action against the person that posted it. Did you realize that anything we post can be used against you in a court of law? Does knowing this now make you more aware of what you are about to post before you post it? have you ever had anyone commit libel against you?