FI RST DI VI SI ON

PHI PPS, C. J.

, ELLI NGTON, P. J.

, and M CM ILLI A N, J.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a ls .us /r ule s /

October 10, 2014



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 4 A0 97 1 . BOSTON et al . v . ATHEARN et al

. J E-0 4 9

E LLI N G T O N , Pres i d i n g J ud g e.

Al ex an d ri a Bo s t on (“ Al ex ”), a m i n or, t h ro u g h h e r p aren t s Am y an d

Ch ri s t o p h er Bo s t o n

, b ro u g h t t h i s act i o n i n t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt of Co bb Co u n t y ag ai n s t

Du s ti n At h earn

, a m in or, h i s p aren t s

, San d ra an d M i ch ael A t h e a r n

, an d o t h er

d efen d an t s

. Th e Bo s t o n s al l eg e t h at Du s t i n d efam ed Al ex wh en

, p o si ng as h er, h e

creat ed a Faceb o o k acco un t an d p ro fi l e an d p o s t ed s t at em en t s an d p h o t o g rap h s i n t h at

fo ru m t h at co n st i t ut ed li b el un d er Geo rg i a law. 1 In ad d i ti o n

, th ey al l eg e t h at Du s t i n ’ s

act i on s co n s t i t u ted i n t en t i o n al i n fl i ct i o n of em o t i o nal d i s t res s

. San d ra an d M i ch ael

At h e a r n ( “ th e At h earn s ”) m o v ed fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t

. Aft er a h eari n g

, t h e t ri al

1 See OCGA § 5 1 -5 -1 (a) (“ A l ib el i s a fal s e an d m al i ci ou s d efam at i o n o f

an o th er, ex p res s ed in p ri nt

, wri ti n g

, p i ct ures

, o r si g n s, t en d i n g to i n ju re t he rep u t at i o n

o f t h e p ers on an d ex p o s i n g [t h e p ers o n ] t o p u bl i c h at red , co n t em p t , o r ri di cu l e.”).co u rt g ran t ed Th e At h earn s ’ m o t i o n

, an d th e Bo st o n s ap p eal

. Th e Bo st o n s co n t en d

t h at qu es t i o n s of m at eri al fact rem ai n reg ard i n g w h et h er t h e A t hearn s b reach ed a d u t y

t o s u p erv i s e t hei r ch i l d ’ s u s e of a co m p u t er an d an In tern et acco u n t

. In ad d i t i o n

, t h ey

co n t en d t h at q u es t i o n s of m at eri al fact rem ai n reg ard i n g wh et h er t he At h earn s

, as

l an d o wn ers

, b reach ed a d u t y t o rem o v e d efam at o ry co n ten t ex i s ti n g on th ei r p ro p ert y

.

Fo r t h e reas o n s ex p l ai n ed b el o w, we affi rm i n p art an d rev ers e i n p art

.

Un d er OCGA § 9 -1 1 -5 6 (c)

[s ] u m m ary j u d gm en t is warran t ed i f t he p l ead i n gs

, d ep os i t i o n s

, an s wers

t o i n t erro g at o ri es

, an d ad m i ss i o n s o n fi l e, t o g et h er wi t h t h e af f i d av i t s

,

i f an y

, s ho w t hat t h ere i s n o g en u i n e i s s u e as t o an y m at eri al fac t an d

t h at th e m o vi n g p art y i s e n t i t l ed to a ju d g m en t as a m at t er o f l aw. W e

rev i ew t h e g ran t o r d en i al o f a m ot i o n fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t d e n o v o

,

an d we vi ew t h e ev i d e n c e

, an d t h e reas o n ab l e i n feren ces d rawn

t h erefro m , i n a l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o t h e n o n m ov an t

.

(Pu n ct u at i on an d fo o tn o t es o m i t t ed .) As s a f v. Ci n ci n na t i In s

. Co

. , 3 2 7 Ga. Ap p

. 4 7 5,

4 7 5 -4 7 6 (7 5 9 SE2 d 5 5 7 ) (2 01 4 ). See al s o Jo h n so n v. Omo n di

, 2 9 4 Ga. 7 4

, 7 5 -7 6 (7 5 1

SE2 d 2 8 8) (2 0 1 3) (acco rd ).

Vi ewed i n th e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o th e Bo s t on s as t h e n o n m ov an t s

, t h e

reco rd s h o ws t he fo ll o wi n g u n d i s p u t ed fact s

. In earl y May 20 1 1, Du s t i n

, wh o was 1 3

y ears o l d

, an d h i s fri en d, M el i s s a Sn o d g ras s, ag reed t o hav e s om e fu n at a cl as s m at e’ s

2ex p en s e b y creat i n g a fak e Faceb o o k p ag e fo r t h at p ers o n

. Du s t in s el ect e d A l ex

, a

fel l o w s ev en t h -g rad er, as t h ei r t arg et , an d M el i ss a ag reed . M el i s sa, p os i n g as Al ex

,

creat ed a Yah o o e-m ai l acco u n t t o u s e t o creat e a new Faceb o o k acco un t

, an d g av e

t h at i n fo rm at i o n t o Du st i n. On M ay 4 , u s in g a co m p u t er s u p p l i ed by hi s p aren t s fo r

h i s u s e an d t h e f

am i l y In t ern et acco u nt

, Du s t i n p o sed as Al ex t o creat e a n ew

Faceb o ok acco u n t

, us i ng th e Yah o o e-m ai l ad d res s an d t h e p as s wo rd M el i s s a

s u p p li ed

. Fo r t h e p r o fi l e p h ot o, Du s t i n u sed a p h o t o t h at he h ad t ak en o f Al ex at

s ch o ol , aft er al t eri n g i t wi t h a “ Fat Face” ap pl i cat io n

.

Aft er Du s t i n creat ed t h e acco u n t

, b o t h Du s t i n an d M el i s sa ad d ed i n fo rm at i o n

t o th e u n au t h o ri zed p ro fi l e

, w h i c h i n d i cat ed

, i nt er al i a, raci s t vi ewp o i nt s an d a

h o m o sex u al o ri en t at io n

. Du s t i n an d M el i s s a al so cau sed t he p ers o n a t o i s s u e

i n v i t at i o n s t o beco m e Faceb o o k “ Fri en d s ” to m an y o f Al ex ’ s cl as s m at es

, t each ers

,

an d ex t en d ed fam i l y m em b ers

. W i t h i n a d ay or t wo

, t h e acco u n t w as co n n ect ed as

Faceb o ok “ Fri en d s” t o o v er 70 o t h er Faceb o o k u s ers

. Du s t in an d Mel i s s a co n t i n u ed

t o ad d i n fo rm at i o n t o t h e p ers o n a’ s p ro fi l e an d cau s ed t he acco u n t t o p o s t s t at u s

u p d at es an d co m

m en ts o n o t h er u s ers ’ p ag es

. So m e o f t h es e p os t i n g s were g raphic al l y

s ex u al

, raci s t or o t h erwi s e o ffen s iv e an d s o m e fal s el y s t at ed th at Al ex wa s o n a

m ed i cat i o n reg i m en fo r m en t al h eal t h d i s o rd ers an d t h at s h e t o o k i l l eg al d ru g s

.

3Al ex s o on s u s pect ed t h at D u s t i n was i n v o lv ed

, b ecau s e s he reco gn i zed t h e

p ro fi le p ho t o as o n e h e h ad t ak en at s ch o o l

. A l e x ’s p a r en t s, Am y an d Ch ri s t o p h er

Bo s t on

, ap pro ach ed t h e s ch o o l ’ s p ri nci p al

, Cat h y W en two rt h

, fo r hel p

. On M ay 1 0,

2 0 1 1

, W en t w o rt h cal l ed Du s t i n an d M el i ss a t o h er offi ce; th ey ad m i tt ed t h ei r

i n v o l v em en t

, an d each s ig n ed a wri t t en s tat em en t

. 2 W en t wo rt h as si g n ed t h em t o i n

s ch o ol s u s p en si o n fo r two d ay s fo r t h ei r haras s m en t o f A l ex

. Sh e cal l ed t h ei r p aren t s

an d al s o s en t h o m e a “ M i d d l e Sch o o l Ad m i n i s t rat i v e Referral Fo rm ” t o ex p l ai n t h e

d i s ci pl i n ary act i o n. Th e Referral Fo rm i ncl u d ed t h e fo ll o w i n g “ Des cri p t i o n o f

In fract i o n : [Du s t in ] creat ed a f a l s e Faceb o ok pag e i n an o t h er st ud en t ’ s n am e,

p ret en d ed t o b e t hat p ers on

, an d el ect ro ni cal l y d i s t ri b u t ed fal s e, p ro fan e, an d

et h n i cal ly o ffen s i ve i n fo rm at i o n .”

2 In h i s wri tt en s t at em en t , Du s t i n s t at ed :

In h o m ero o m

, M el is s a an d I d eci d ed t o m ak e a Faceb o o k [p ag e] u nd er

s o m eo n e’ s n am e an d s h e s ai d

, “ W h o d o w e hat e i n t h i s ro o m ? ” I s ai d “ I

d o n ’ t k n o w, Al ex Bo st o n ? ” So w e m ad e up a u s ern am e an d a pas s wo rd

fo r i t

. W e wen t h o m e an d m ad e t h e Faceb o ok [p ag e]

. I ch o se Al ex

Bo s t o n b ecau s e s h e fo l l o wed m e aro u n d an d m y fri en d s d i d n o t l i ke h er

an d to l d h er to l eav e m e a l o n e. I w en t h o m e an d m ad e Al ex Bo s t o n ’ s

Faceb o o k [p ag e]

. M el i s sa wen t h o m e to h er h o u s e an d p ret en d ed t o be

Al ex

. . . . I wen t h o m e an d p o s t ed o n Al ex ’ s [fak e] Faceb o o k [p ag e fo r]

ab o u t 4 o r 5 day s . M el i s s a wen t an d p o s ted o n i t t h e s am e t i m e.

4Du s t i n ’ s m ot h er, San d ra At h earn

, rev i ewed an d s ig n ed th e Referral Fo rm t h e

s am e day

, May 1 0

, 2 0 1 1

, an d d i s cu s s ed t h e i n ci d en t wi th h er h us b an d

, M i ch ael

. Th e

At h earn s d i s ci p l i n ed Du s t i n b y fo rb i d d i n g h im fo r on e week fro m s eei n g h i s fri en d s

aft er s ch oo l

.

Th e u nau t h ori zed pro fi l e an d p ag e rem ai n ed acces s i bl e t o Faceb o o k u s ers u n t i l

Faceb o ok o ffi ci al s d e a c t i v a t ed t h e acco u n t o n Ap ri l 2 1, 2 0 1 2

, n o t l o ng aft er t h e

Bo s t on s fi l ed t h ei r l aws u i t o n Ap ri l 3

, 2 0 12

. 3 Du ri n g t h e 1 1 m o n t h s th e u n au t h o ri zed

p ro fi le an d p ag e co ul d b e vi ewed

, t h e At h earn s m ad e n o a t t e m p t to v i ew t h e

u n a u t h o ri zed pag e, an d t h ey t oo k n o act i o n t o d et erm i n e t h e co n t en t o f t h e f a l s e

,

p ro fan e

, an d et h n i cal l y o ffen s i v e in fo rm at i o n t h at D u s t i n was ch arg ed wi th

el ect ro ni cal l y d i s t ri b u t i n g

. Th ey d i d n o t a t tem p t t o l earn t o wh o m Du s t i n h ad

d i s t ri b u t ed t h e fal se an d o ffen s iv e i n fo rm at i o n o r wh et h er t h e d is t ri b u t i o n was

o n g o i n g. Th ey di d n o t tel l Du s t i n t o d el et e t h e pag e. Fu rt h erm ore, t h ey m ad e n o

at t em p t t o d et erm i n e w het h er t h e fal s e an d o ffen s i v e i n fo rm at i o n D u s t i n was ch arg ed

wi t h d is t ri b u t i n g co u l d b e co rrect ed , d el et ed

, o r ret ract ed

.

3 In d eed

, Faceb o ok ’ s reco rd s s h o wed t h at

, m o nt h s aft er Du s t i n ’ s p ri n ci p al

n o t i fi ed t h e At h earn s t hat Du s t i n h ad b een di s ci p l i n ed fo r creat i n g t h e u n au t h o ri zed

acco u n t

, th e fak e p ers o na co n ti n u ed t o ex t en d o r accep t req u es ts t o b eco m e Faceb o o k

Fri en d s wi t h ad d i t i o n al u s ers an d t h at o t h er u s er s v i e w ed an d p o st ed o n t h e

u n au th o ri zed p ag e u n t il t h e d ay b efo re Faceb o o k d eact i v at ed t h e acco u n t

.

51

. Th e Bo s t o n s co n t en d t h at t h ere are q u es ti o n s o f m at er i a l f act reg ard i n g

wh et h er t h e At h earn s were n eg l i g en t i n fai l i n g t o co m p el Du st i n t o rem o v e t h e

Faceb o ok p ag e on ce t h ey were n o t i f i ed o f i t s ex i st en ce an d

, t herefo re, th at t h e t ri al

co u rt erred i n g ran t i n g t h e At h earn s ’ m o t i o n fo r su m m ary ju d g m en t o n Al ex ’ s cl ai m s

.

Un d er Geo rg i a l aw, l iab i l i t y fo r t h e t o rt o f a m i n o r ch i l d i s n o t i m p u ted t o t h e

ch i l d ’ s p aren t s m erel y o n t h e b as i s o f t h e p aren t-ch i l d rel at i o n s h ip

. 4 Paren ts m ay b e

h el d di rect l y l iab l e, ho wev er, fo r t h ei r o wn n eg l i g en ce i n f a i l i n g t o s u p erv i s e o r

4 Co rl ey v. Lewl es s

, 22 7 Ga. 7 45

, 7 4 8 (1 8 2 SE2 d 7 6 6 ) ( 1 9 7 1 ) ( O t h er t h an as

p ro v id ed b y s t at u t e, “ cau ses o f act i o n ag ai n st t h e p aren t s o f m i n o r to rt f e a s o r s are

ro o t ed i n t h e co m

m o n l aw [o f Geo rg i a] an d are p red i cat ed o n s om et h i n g m o re t h an

t h e m ere p aren t -ch i l d rel at i o n sh i p .”); Ki t ch en s v. H a r r i s

, 3 0 5 Ga. Ap p

. 7 9 9

, 8 0 0 (7 0 1

SE2 d 2 0 7 ) (2 0 1 0) (“ Paren t s are n o t l i ab l e fo r t h e t o rt s of t h ei r m in o r ch i l d ren m erel y

o n t h e b as i s o f t h e paren t -ch i l d rel at i o n s h i p .”) (ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ); S a en z v. An d

r u s

, 1 9 5 Ga. Ap p

. 4 3 1

, 4 3 2 (2 ) (3 9 3 SE2 d 7 2 4 ) (1 9 9 0 ) (“ In Geo rg i a, un l es s t h e co m m o n

l aw is ch an g ed b y s tat u t e, p aren t s are n o t l i ab le i n d am ag es fo r t h e t ort s o f t h ei r m i n o r

ch i l d ren m erel y b ecau s e o f t h e p aren t -ch i l d rel at i on s h i p [.] ”) (ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ); Den t

v. Smi t h

, 1 7 2 G a. Ap p

. 90 (1 98 4 ) (acco rd ); As s u r a n ce Co

. o f Amer i ca v. Bel l

, 1 0 8 Ga.

Ap p . 7 6 6 , 7 7 3 (4 ) (1 3 4 SE2 d 5 4 0 ) (1 9 6 3 ) (“ Bro ad l y s t at ed , p aren t s at co m

m o n l aw

are n o t l i ab l e fo r t o rt s o f t hei r m i n o r ch il dren .”) (ci tat i o n an d p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

See g en eral l y Ch arl es R. Ad am s

, Ga. L aw o f To rt s § 1 4 : 1 ( u p d a t e d A p ri l 2 0 1 4 );

St ep h en A. Bru n et t e, 1 8 Cau ses o f A ct i o n 1 1 3

, “ Cau s e o f A ct i on Ag ai n s t Paren t at

Co m m o n Law fo r In

ju ry Cau s ed b y

Ch i l d ,” (1 9 8 9 , u p d at ed J u l y 2 0 1 4 ).

6co n tro l t h ei r ch i ld wi t h reg ard t o co n d uct wh i ch p o s e s a n u n reas o n ab l e ri s k o f

h arm i n g o t h ers

. 5

W h ere l iab i l i t y i s b as ed on p aren t s ’ al leg ed fai lu re t o s u perv i s e o r co n t ro l t h ei r

ch i l d

, a k ey q u es t i o n i s t h e fo res eeab i l i t y o f t he h arm s u ffered by t h e p l ai n t i ff, t h at i s

,

wh et h er th e p aren t s h ad k n o wl ed g e o f fact s fro m wh i ch t h ey s ho u l d h av e reas o n ab l y

an t i ci p at ed t h at h arm t o an o t h e r wo u l d res u l t u n l es s t h ey co n t ro ll ed t h ei r ch i l d ’ s

co n du ct

. Hi l l v. Mo r r is o n

, 1 6 0 Ga. Ap p

. 1 5 1 (2 8 6 SE2 d 4 6 7 ) (1 9 8 1) (“ [T] h e t ru e tes t

o f p aren t al n eg l i g en ce vel n o n i s wh et h er i n t h e ex erci se o f o rd i n ary care h e s h o u ld

h av e an t i ci p at ed t h at h arm wo u l d res u l t fro m t h e u n s u p erv i s ed act i v i t i es o f t h e ch i ld

a n d w h et h er, i f so

, he ex erci s ed t h e p ro p er d eg ree o f care t o g u ard ag ai n s t t h i s

res u l t.”) (ci t at io n o m i t t ed ). 6 Th e l ev el o f care t h at i s d u e n eces s ari l y d ep en d s o n t h e

5 See al s o As s u r a nce Co

. o f Amer i ca v. Bel l

, 1 0 8 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 6 6 -7 67 (4 ) (“ A

p aren t m ay

b e g u i l t y o f p ri m ary n eg l i gen ce i n fai l i n g t o ex erci s e reas on ab l e care t o

p rev en t a ch i l d u n d er h i s co n t ro l fro m creat in g an u n reas o n ab l e ri sk o f h arm t o t h i rd

p ers o n s

, w h ere h e has kn owl ed g e o f fact s fro m wh i ch h e s h ou l d reas on ab l y an t i ci p at e

t h at h arm wi l l o t h erwi s e res u l t .”).

6 As s u r a n ce Co

. o

f Amer ica v. Bel l

, 1 0 8 Ga. A p p

. at 7 7 3-7 7 5 (4 ) (“ A p aren t i s

u n d er a du ty t o ex erci s e reas o n ab l e care so t o co nt ro l h i s m i n o r ch i l d as t o prev en t i t

fro m i n t en t i o n al l y h a r m i n g o th ers o r fro m s o co n d uct i ng i t sel f as t o creat e an

u n reas o nab l e ri sk o f b o d i ly harm t o t h em

, if t h e p aren t (a) k n o ws o r h as reas o n to

k n o w t h at he h as t h e ab i li t y t o co n t ro l h i s ch i l d

, an d (b ) k n o w s o r s h ou l d k n o w o f t h e

n eces s i t y an d o p p o rt u n i t y fo r ex erci s i n g s u ch co n tro l [,] ” ci t i n g Res tat em en t o f t h e

L aw, To rt s

, § 3 1 6

. “ Th e t ru e t es t ” o f wh et h er a paren t i s l i ab l e fo r a c h i l d ’s t o r t “ i s

7ci rcu m s t an ces

, wh i ch m ay i n v o l v e an i nh eren tl y d an g ero u s i n st ru m en t al i t y

, a

co m m o n ly -av ai lab l e o b

j ect t h at o n l y b eco m es d an g ero u s i f i t i s i n ten t i o n al ly u s ed to

cau s e h arm o r i s h an d l ed i n an i m p ro p er an d d an g ero u s m an n er, o r no i n s t ru m en t al i t y

at al l

. 7 W h et h er p aren t s fai l ed t o u s e o rd i n ary care i n s u perv i s i n g o r co n t ro ll i n g t h ei r

wh et h er (a) a d u t y was rai s ed ag ai n st t h e p aren t b y t h e fact s o f t h e cas e o f an t i ci p at i n g

t h at i n t h e ab s en ce o f [p aren t al ] s u p erv i s i o n a p art i cu l ar t y p e o f in ju ry t o an o t h er wi l l

res u l t, an d (b ) w h et h er [t h e p aren t ] t h en ex erci s ed reas o n ab l e care t o co n t ro l an d

s u p erv i s e t h e i n fan t t o p rev en t s u ch res u l t.”) (p u n ct u at io n o m i t t ed ).

7 Ki t ch en s v. Ha rr is

, 3 0 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 0 0 (W h ere an in ju red p ers o n cl ai m s t h at

a ch i l d ’ s p aren t s neg l i g en tl y al l o wed t h ei r ch i ld t o g ai n acces s t o a d an g ero u s

i n s t ru m en t al i t y

, “ t h e s t an dard fo r i m p o s i n g l i ab i l i t y u p o n a paren t fo r fai l i n g to

p rev en t t h e ch i l d ’s a c t i o n i s wh et h er t h e p aren t k new o f t h e ch i l d ’ s pro cl i v i t y o r

p ro p en s it y fo r t h e s p ec i f i c d an g ero u s act i v i t y ” t hat res u l t ed i n an o t h er’ s i n ju ry .)

(ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed ); Ga r ci a v. Gr ep l in g

, 2 5 4 Ga. Ap p

. 2 19

, 2 2 0 (5 6 1

SE2 d 8 6 8 ) (2 0 0 2 ) (In a cas e i n wh i ch a ch i l d i nju red an ot h er, n o t t h ro u g h t he u s e o f

an y i n s t ru m en t al it y

, b u t t h ro u g h an u n pro v ok ed as s a u lt

, t h e p l ai n t i ff wo u l d b e

req u i red t o s h o w th at t h e ch i l d’ s p aren t w as on no t ice o f a d an g ero u s pro c l i v i t y o r

p ro p en s it y fo r t h e s p eci fi c d an g ero u s act i v it y t h at res u l t ed i n t h e p l ai n t iff’ s i nju ri es .);

McNa mee v. A. J. W

. , 2 38 G a. Ap p

. 5 3 4

, 5 3 5 -5 3 6 (1 ) (5 1 9 SE2 d 2 9 8) (1 9 9 9 ) (In a

cas e i n wh i ch a ch il d in

ju red an o t h er, n o t t h ro u gh t h e us e o f an y i n s t ru m en tal i t y

, b ut

t h ro u g h h av i n g s ex wi t h an o th er ch i l d

, t h e p l ai n t i ff wo ul d b e req u i red t o s h o w t h at

t h e ch i l d ’ s p aren t s s ho u l d h av e an t i ci pat ed t h at h arm wo u l d res u l t f r o m t h e

u n s u perv i s ed act i v i t i e s o f t h e c h i l d an d fai l ed t o ex erci s e t h e p ro p er d eg ree o f care

t o gu ard ag ai n st t h at res u l t .); S a en z v. A n d

r u s

, 1 9 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 43 2 (2 ) (An

i n s t ru m en t al i t y i s no t i n h eren t l y d an g ero u s i f s u ch o b ject i s n o t l i k el y t o cau s e s eri ou s

i n ju ry w h en us ed in a p ro p er m an n er an d wi th d u e care b u t o n l y b eco m es d an g ero u s

i f i t i s i n t en t i o n al l y u s ed t o cau s e i n ju ry o r is han d led i n a reck l es s an d d an g ero u s

m an n er.); Ja cks on v. M

o o r e, 1 9 0 Ga. Ap p

. 32 9

, 3 3 0 (3 7 8 SE2 d 7 2 6 ) (1 9 89 ) (In a cas e

i n wh i c h a ch i l d i n

ju res an o t h er, b u t n o t t h ro u g h t h e u se o f a d an g ero u s

i n s t ru m en t al i t y

, “ t h e s t an d ard fo r i m p o s in g li ab i l i t y u p o n a paren t fo r fai l i n g to

8ch i l d i s g en eral l y a q u es t i on fo r t h e ju ry wh en t h e ci rcu m s t an ces s u pp o rt an i n feren ce

t h at t he p aren t s w e r e o n n o t i ce t h at

, ab s en t t h ei r in t erv en t i o n, i n j u ry was l i k el y to

res u l t fro m

t h e ch i l d’ s co n d u ct

. 8

p r e v en t t h e ch i l d’ s act i o n is wh et h er th e p aren t k n ew o f t h e ch i l d ’ s p ro cl i v i t y o r

p ro p en s it y fo r t he s p eci fi c d an g ero u s act i v i ty ” t h at res u l t ed i n t h e o t h er p ers o n ’ s

i n ju ri es .) (ci t at i o n s o m i t t e d ) ; Hi l l v. Mo rr i s o n

, 1 6 0 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 5 1-1 5 2 (W h ere a

p ers o n “ en t ru s ts an o t h er wi th a d an g ero u s i n s t ru m en t u n d er ci rcu m s t an ces t h at h e h as

reas on t o k n o w are l ik el y t o p ro d u ce i n ju ry

, [t h at p ers o n ] is l i ab l e fo r t h e en s u i n g

co n seq u en ces .” Reco v ery ag ai ns t a p aren t fo r t h e t o rt o f a ch i l d “ i s perm it t ed wh ere

t h ro u g h p aren t al n eg li g en ce a ch i l d is p erm i t ted acces s t o an i ns t ru m en tal i t y wh i ch

, i f n o t p ro p erl y u s ed

, i s fo res eeab l y l ik el y t o cau s e i n j u ry t o a t h i rd p ers o n

, [b u t ] t h i s

d o es n o t m ak e t h e p ar e n t l i a b l e fo r an i n ju ry n eg li g en t l y i n fl i ct ed b y a ch i l d wh ere

t h ere i s no d an g ero u s p ro cl i v i t y k n o w n t o t h e fo rm er an d n o reas o n t o an t i ci p at e t h e

i n ju ry wh i ch i n fact o ccu rred

. ”) (ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed ); M u s e v

. O z men t

, 1 5 2 Ga. Ap p.

8 9 6

, 8 9 8 (2 6 4 SE2 d 3 2 8) (1 9 8 0 ) (Reco very i s n o t p erm i t t ed ag ai ns t a p aren t fo r a

ch i l d ’ s t o rt “ wh ere th e p aren t h as n o s peci al reas o n t o an t i ci p at e” t h at th e ch i l d m ay

h arm an o t h er, ei th er b ecau s e o f t h e ch i l d ’ s “ k n own d an g ero us p ro cl i vi t i es ” to en g ag e

i n t h e co n d u c t t h a t cau s ed t he i n ju ry o r b ecau se of th e ch i l d ’ s “ p o ss es s i o n o f

[i nh eren t l y ] d an g ero u s i ns t ru m en t al i t i es [.] ”); As s u r a n ce Co

. o f Amer ica v. B el l

, 1 0 8

Ga. Ap p

. at 7 6 6 -7 6 7 (4 ) (“ [P] are n ts m ay b e l i ab l e wh ere th ey h av e en tru s t ed a

d an gero us i n s t ru m en t a l i t y t o t h ei r ch i l d ren o r h av e fai l ed t o res t rai n th ei r ch i l d ren

wh o th ey k n o w po s s es s dan g ero u s t en d en ci es .”) (ci t at i o ns an d p un ct u at io n o m i t t ed ).

8 See Ja co b s v. Tys o n

, 2 0 0 Ga. Ap p. at 12 3 (A ju ry co u l d fi n d t h at a ch i l d ’s

p a r e n t s w e r e o n n o t i ce o f t h e ri s k o f i nju ry wh ere t h ey k ep t a pi s t o l i n t h ei r h o u s e

l o ad ed an d i n a l o ca t i o n w h e r e i t was acces s ib l e t o t h ei r 1 2 -y ear-o ld wh i le h e was

p res en t i n t h e h o m e wi t h an o t h er ch i ld wi th o u t ad u l t s u p erv i s i o n, s i n ce, “ [u ] n l i k e a

b u t ch er k n i fe o r a g o l f cl u b

, a l o ad ed fi rearm m ay b e co n si d ered an i n h eren t l y

d an gero us i n s t ru m en t al it y

, i n t h a t

, . . . i t can i n fl i ct s eri o u s bo d i l y i n ju ry b y ‘ g o i n g

o ff’ acci d en t al l y .”) (ci tat i o n s o m i t t ed ); Ma yer v. S el f

, 1 7 8 Ga. Ap p

. 9 4

, 9 5 (1 ) (3 4 1

SE2 d 9 24 ) (1 9 8 6 ) (A ju ry co u l d fi n d t h at a ch i l d ’ s p aren ts were o n n o t i ce o f t h e ri s k

o f i n ju ry fro m a g o l f cl u b s wu n g b y a 5 -y ear-o l d ch i l d wh i l e p l ay i n g wi t h o t h er

9ch i l d ren

, i n t h e b ack y ard

, wi t h o u t su p erv i s i o n

, wh ere t here was ev i d en ce t h at t h e

ch i l d ’ s p aren ts k n ew ab o u t a prev io u s i n ci den t i n wh i ch t hei r ch i l d had h u rt s o m eo n e

wi t h a g ol f cl u b.); McBer ry v. Ivi e

, 11 6 Ga. Ap p

. 8 08

, 8 1 1 (1 5 9 SE2 d 1 0 8 ) (1 9 6 7 ) (A

ju ry co ul d f

i n d t h a t a ch i l d’ s p aren t s were on n o t ice of t h e ri s k o f i n j u ry fro m a

s h o t g u n “ wh i ch was a d an g ero u s i n s t ru m en t ” fu rn i s hed t o a 1 3 -y ear-o l d ch i l d b y h i s

p aren t s wi t h ou t reas o n ab l e i n s tru ct i o n an d s u p erv i s io n as t o i t s u s e.).

Cf. Ki t ch en s v

. Ha r r i s

, 30 5 Ga. Ap p. at 80 0 -8 0 1 (A ch il d ’ s p aren ts were n ot

l i ab l e fo r i n

ju ri es res u l t i ng fro m t h e ch il d al l o wi n g an o th er ch i l d to u se t h e fam i l y ’ s

al l -t errai n v eh i cl e wh ere t h ere w as n o ev i d en ce th at t h e ch i l d had ev er us ed t h e ATV,

o r al l o w ed an o t h er ch i ld t o do s o

, wi th o ut t h e p erm i s si o n an d p res en ce o f t h e p aren t s

an d t h erefo re t h e paren t s were no t on n o ti ce of t h ei r ch i l d ’ s p ro cl i v it y o r pro p en s i t y

fo r t h e s p eci fi c d an g ero u s act i vi t y t h at res u l ted i n t h e o t her ch i l d ’ s i n ju ry .); Ga r ci a

v. Gr ep l i ng

, 2 5 4 Ga. Ap p

. at 2 2 0 (A ch il d ’ s p aren t s w ere n o t l i ab l e fo r s eri o u s i n ju ri es

t h e ch i l d i n fl i ct ed o n an o t h er st u d en t i n an u n pro v o k ed as s au l t

, des p i t e ev i d en ce t h at

t h e ch i l d had been s u s p en d ed fro m s ch o o l t wi ce, “ o n ce fo r a ccep t i n g an o t h er

s t ud en t ’ s ch al l e n g e t o a fi g h t

, k n o ck in g th e o t h er st ud en t to t h e g ro u nd

, an d t h en

wal k i n g away an d on ce fo r p u sh i n g on e st u d en t

, sp i t t i n g o n an o th er, an d u s i n g fo ul

l an g u ag e a n d i n ap p ro p ri at e g es t u res d u ri n g t h e t ap i n g o f a v i d eo fo r a s t u d en t

p ro ject

, ” s i n ce t h e p rev io u s i n ci d en ts “ co ns i s t ed o f rat h er t y p i cal s c h o o l y ard

al t ercat i on s i n wh i ch n o o n e co m p l ai n ed o f an y i n

ju ri es ” an d t h erefo re d i d n ot

co n st i t u t e n o t ice o f a n y p r o p e n s i t y o f t h e ch i l d t o en g ag e i n t he s p eci fi c d an g ero u s

act i vi t y res u lt i n g i n t he p l ai n t i ff’ s cl ai m

. ); McNa mee v. A

. J. W

. , 2 3 8 Ga. Ap p

. at 5 3 6

(1 ) (Gen eral l y

, Geo rg i a l aw d o e s n o t p l ace a d u t y o n p aren ts t o arran g e fo r

s u p erv i s i o n o f t hei r t een ag ed ch i l d ren wh il e t h ey are away fro m h o m e. In t h e ab s en ce

o f ev i d en ce t h at a ch il d ’ s paren t s h ad an y reas o n t o s u s pect t h a t wh i l e t h ey were at

wo rk h e was h av i ng s ex wi t h an u n d erag ed g irl i n t hei r ho m e, t h e paren t s co u l d n ot

b e h el d l i ab l e fo r a n y res ul t i n g i n ju ri es bas ed s o l el y u po n hi s en g ag i n g i n t h at

act i vi t y

, wh i ch h e d i d wi t h o u t t h ei r k n o w l ed g e.); S a en z v. A n d

r us

, 19 5 Ga. Ap p

. at

4 3 2 (2 ) (A ch i l d’ s paren t s were n o t l i ab l e fo r t h e i n ju ry i n fl i ct ed b y t h e ch i l d t h ro wi n g

a bu t ch er k n i fe t o ward an o t h er, d es p i t e ev i d en ce t h at t h e ch il d h ad p rev i o u s l y t h ro wn

a p o ck et k n i f

e a t t h e wal l

, b ecau s e t h at p rev i o us co n du ct d i d n o t d em o n st rat e an y

p ro p en s it y t o h an d l e a b ut ch er k n i fe i n a reck l es s an d d an g ero u s m an ner.); Ja cks o n

v. Mo o r e, 1 9 0 Ga. Ap p

. 3 2 9, 3 30 (3 7 8 SE2 d 7 2 6 ) (1 9 8 9) (A ch i l d ’ s m o t h er was n ot

l i ab l e fo r i n

j uri es res u l t i n g w h en t h e ch il d s urrep t i ti o u sl y t o o k car k ey s fro m t h e

10In t h i s c a s e, i t i s u n d i sp u t ed t h at Du s t i n u s ed a co m p u t er an d acces s t o an

In t ern et acco un t i m

pro perl y

, i n a way l i k el y t o cau s e h arm

, an d wi t h m al i ci ou s i n t en t

.

Th e Ah earn s co nt en d t hat t hey h ad n o reas o n t o an t i ci p at e t h at Du st i n wo ul d en g ag e

i n t h at co n d u ct un ti l aft er h e had d o n e s o

, wh en t h ey recei ved n o t i ce fro m t h e s ch o ol

t h at h e h ad b een d i s ci p l i n ed f o r c r e a t i n g t h e u nau t h ori zed Faceb o o k p ro fi l e. Bas ed

o n t hi s

, t h ey c o n t en d t h at t h ey can n o t b e h el d l i ab l e fo r n eg l i g en tl y s u p erv i s i n g

Du s ti n ’ s u s e o f t h e co m

p u t er an d In t ern et acco u n t. Th e Ah earn s’ arg u m en t d o es n ot

t ak e i n t o acco u nt t h at

, as Du s t i n ’ s paren ts

, t h ey co n t i n u ed t o b e res p on s i b l e fo r

s u p e r v is i n g Du s t in ’ s us e o f t h e co m p ut er an d In t ern et a

f ter l earn i n g t h at h e h a d

creat ed t h e un au t h o ri zed Faceb o o k p ro f i l e

. W h i le i t m ay b e t ru e t h at Al ex was

h arm ed

, an d t h e t ort o f d efam at i o n h ad acc r u e d

, w h en ev en o n e p ers o n v i ewed t h e

m o th er’ s p u rs e an d d ro v e t he car, wh ere sh e had ex p res s l y fo rb i d den t h e ch i l d fro m

d ri v i ng an d t h e c h i l d h ad n ev er d i s o b ey ed th at i n s t ru ct i o n b efo re an d t h erefo re s h e

w as n o t o n n o t i ce o f t h e ch i l d’ s p ro cl iv i t y o r p ro p en s it y fo r th e s p eci fi c d an g ero u s

act i vi t y t h at res u l t ed i n t h e p l ai n t i ff’ s i n ju ry .); Mu s e v. Oz men t

, 1 5 2 Ga

. Ap p

. 8 9 6,

8 9 8 (2 6 4 S E 2 d 32 8 ) (1 9 8 0 ) (A ch i l d ’ s p aren t s were n o t l iab l e fo r in ju ri es res u l t i n g

fro m t h e ch i l d’ s u s e of a go l f cl u b t h at was s t o r e d i n a n u n l ock ed b u i l d i n g

, wh ere

t h ere was n o ev i den ce t h e ch i l d h ad ev er b efo re t ak en a g o l f cl u b o ut an d s wu n g i t in

an o th er’ s p res en ce an d t herefo re t h e paren t s were n o t o n n o ti c e o f t h ei r ch i l d ’ s

p ro cl i v i ty or pro p en s it y fo r t h e sp eci fi c d a n g e r o u s act i v i t y t h at res u l t ed i n t h e

p l ai n t i ff’ s i n

ju ry .).

11fal s e an d o ffen s i v e p o s t i n g s, 9 i t d oes no t fo l l ow t h at t h e At h earn s ’ paren t al d u t y o f

reas on ab l e s up erv i s i o n en d ed wi t h t h e fi rs t p u bl icat i o n

.

Gi v en t h e n at u re o f l ib el

, t h e o ri g i n al to rt io u s co n d uct m ay co n t i n u e t o u n fo ld

as t h e fal s e an d i n

ju ri o u s co m

m u n i cat i on i s p u b li sh ed t o ad d i t i o nal read ers o r t h e

d efam at o ry co n t en t p ers i s t s i n a p u b l i c fo r u m wi t h o u t p u bl i c co rrect i o n o r

ret ract i o n

. 1 0 W i t h reg ard to th e i n s t an t act i o n

, we co n cl ud e t h at a reas o n ab l e ju ry

co u ld fi n d t h at

, aft er l earn i n g o n M ay 1 0

, 2 0 1 1

, o f Du s t i n ’ s recen t m i s co n d u ct i n t h e

u s e o f t h e co m

pu t er an d In t ern et acco u n t

, t h e Ah earn s fai l ed to ex erci s e d u e care in

9 OCGA § § 5 1 -5 -1 (b ) (“ Th e p u b l i cat i on of th e l i b el o us m at t er i s es s en t i al t o

reco v ery .”); 5 1 -5 -3 (“ A li b el is p u b l i sh ed as s o o n as i t i s co m m u n icat ed to an y p ers o n

o t h er t h an t h e p art y li b el ed .”); McCa n d l i s s v. Co x En t er p r i s es

, 2 65 G a. Ap p

. 3 7 7

, 3 7 9

(1 ) (5 9 3 SE2 d 85 6 ) (2 0 0 4 ) (Becau s e co m m u n i cat i o n s p o s t ed o n In tern et s i t es m ay b e

v i ewed b y a larg e n um

ber o f p ers o ns

, o v er an ex p an s i v e geo g rap h i c area, an d fo r an

i n d efi n i te p eri od o f t im e, ap p l i cat i o n o f t h e s in g l e pu b l i cat i on ru l e is req u i red , an d,

t h erefo re, a p lai nt i ff m

u s t co l l ect al l o f h i s o r h er d am ag es in o n e act io n

, an d t h e

s t at u te o f l i m i t at i o n r u n s f r o m t h e d at e o f in i t i al p u b l i cat i o n .), o ver r u l ed o n o t h er

g r o u nd s b y In f i n i t e En er

g y, In c. v. P a r du e

, 3 1 0 Ga. Ap p

. 3 5 5, ( 7 1 3 SE2 d 4 5 6 )

(2 0 1 1); S i g mo n v. W

o ma ck

, 1 5 8 Ga. Ap p. 4 7

, 5 0 (2 7 9 SE2 d 2 5 4 ) (1 9 81 ) (In ord er fo r

a l ib el t o b e p u bl i s hed

, t h ere m u s t b e a read i n g o f i t b y a t h i rd p ers o n wh o

u n d ers t an d s i t i n a d efam at o ry s en se.).

1 0 See Ma t h i s v. Ca n n o n

, 2 7 6 Ga. 1 6

, 2 5 -2 9 (4 ) (5 73 SE2 d 37 6 ) (2 0 0 2 ); Mel t o n

v. Bo w

, 2 4 1 Ga. 62 9

, 63 0 (2 4 7 SE2 d 10 0 ) (1 9 7 8 ); Ba rn es v. O’Co nn el l

, 3 0 0 Ga. Ap p.

3 9 9

, 4 0 0 (6 8 5 SE2 d 3 4 4 ) (2 0 0 9). See g en eral l y Ch arl es R. Ad am s

, Ga. Law o f To rt s

§ § 2 8 : 1

, 28 : 4

, 2 8 : 8 (u p dat ed Ap ri l 20 1 4 ); M o n iq u e C. M

. Leah y

, 3 2 Cau s es o f Act i o n

2 d 2 8 1

, Sect i o n III (C), “ Cau s e o f Act i o n f o r I n t e r n et Defam at i o n ” (2 0 0 6

, u p d at ed

J u l y 2 0 1 4).

12s u p erv i s i n g an d co nt ro l li n g s u ch act i v i t y g oi n g fo rward

. Gi v en t h at t h e fal s e an d

o ffen s i v e s t at em en ts rem ai ned o n d i s p lay

, an d c o n t i n u ed t o reach read ers

, fo r an

ad d it i o n al el ev en m o nt hs

, w e c o n cl u d e t h at a ju ry co u l d fi n d th at t h e A t h earn s ’

n eg li g en ce p ro x i m at el y cau s ed s o m e p art o f t h e i n ju ry Al ex s u s t ai n ed fro m Du s t i n ’ s

act i on s (an d in act i on s). Acco rd i n g l y

, t he t ri al co u rt erred i n g ran t i n g t h e A t h e arn s ’

m o ti o n fo r s u m

m ary ju d g m en t i n p art

.

2

. Th e Bo s t o n s c o n t e n d t h at

, “ [i ] n ad d i ti o n t o th ei r l eg al du t y as p aren t s

, t h e

[Ah earn s ] h ad a du t y as l an d o wn ers t o rem o ve t he d efam at o ry co n t en t t h at ex i s t ed o n

t h ei r p ro p ert y [,] ” ci t i n g t h e d i s s en t i n g o p i n io n o f Pres id i ng J ud g e Qu i l l i an in

S o u t h er n Bel l Tel ep h o n e & Tel eg r a p h v. Co a s ta l Tr a n s mi ss i o n S vc.

, 1 6 7 Ga. Ap p.

6 1 1

, 6 2 1 (3 0 7 SE2 d 8 3 ) (1 9 8 3 ). I n t h at cas e, Pres id i n g J u d g e Qu i l l i an ci t ed wi th

ap p ro v al Res t at em en t (Seco n d) o f To rt s § 5 7 7 (2 ) (1 9 7 7

, u p d at ed J un e 2 0 1 4 ), wh i ch

p ro v id es t h at “ [o ] ne wh o in t en t i o nal l y an d u n reas o n ab l y fai l s t o rem o v e d efam at o ry

m at t er th at h e kn o ws t o b e ex h i bi t ed o n l an d o r ch at t el s i n h i s p o s s es s io n o r u n d er h i s

co n tro l i s s u b

ject t o li ab i l i t y fo r i t s co nt i n u ed pu b l i cat i on .” Fu rt h er, “ w h en

, by

m eas u res n o t u n d u ly d i ffi cu l t o r o n ero u s, h e m ay e a s i l y rem o v e th e defam at i o n

, h e

m a y be fo u n d l i ab le i f h e i n t en t i o n al l y fai l s t o rem o v e i t .” Id

., Co m m en t p

. S e e

13S

o u t h er n Bel l Tel ep h o n e & Tel eg r a p h v. Co a st al Tr a n s m i s s i o n S vc.

, 1 6 7 Ga. Ap p.

at 6 2 1

, Pres i di ng J u d g e Qu i l l i an , d i s s en t i n g

.

Th e g i st o f t h i s p ro v i s i o n o f t h e Res tat em en t i s t h at

p as s in g o n d efam at o ry m at t er, i.e., rep u b l i cat i on

, is p ub l i cat i o n fo r

p u rp o s es o f li ab i l i t y

. Th u s

, e x c ep t as t o t h o s e wh o o n l y d el i v er o r

t ran s m i t d efam at io n p ub l i s h ed b y a t h i rd p ers o n

, o ne w h o rep eat s o r

o t h erwi se rep u b l is h es defa m a t o r y m at t er i s su b ject t o l i ab i li t y as i f he

h ad o ri g i n al l y

p ub l i s h ed i t

.

(Pu n ct u at i on a nd f

ootno t es o m it t ed .) M al l a Po l l ack

, “ Li t i g at i n g Defam at i on Cl ai m s ,”

1 2 8 Am

. J u r. Tri al s 1 (2 0 1 3

, up d at ed May 20 1 4 ). Geo rg i a d efam at i o n law em b races

t h i s pri nci p l e reg ard i ng rep u b l icat i o n

. See Smi t h v. Ven ca r e, In c.

, 2 3 8 Ga. Ap p

. 6 2 1,

6 2 6 -6 2 7 (2 ) (d ) (5 1 9 SE2 d 7 3 5 ) ( 1 9 9 9 ); Ba s ki n v. Ro ger s

, 2 2 9 Ga. Ap p

. 2 5 0

, 2 5 2

(4 9 3 SE2 d 7 2 8 ) (1 9 9 7 ).

Set t i n g as i d e t h e no v el an d ab s t ract q u es t i o n s t h e Bo s to n s’ arg u m en t r a i s es

reg ard i n g wh ere In t ern et co n t en t i s “ ex h i b i t ed

, ” 1 1 t h e Bo s t o n s fai l ed t o id en t i fy an y

1 1 Th e s ol e i l l u s t rat i o n g i v en b y t h e d raf t e r s of t h e Res t at em en t co n cern s a

co m m u n icat io n ex h i b i t ed i n t h e p h y s i cal real m :

A wri tes o n th e wal l of th e m en ’ s was h ro o m i n B’ s tav ern a s t at em en t

t h at C is an u nch as t e wo m an

. B fai l s t o d i s co v er t h e wri t i n g fo r an h ou r.

Aft er h e d i s co vers i t

, h e fai l s t o rem ov e i t fo r an ot h er ho u r, al t h o u g h he

h as am p l e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d o s o

. Du ri n g t he s eco nd h o u r t h e wri ti n g i s

read b y s ev eral m en

. B i s s u b ject t o l i ab il i ty fo r t h e co n ti n u ed

14ev i d en ce t h at

, ap art fro m ex erci s i n g th ei r p aren tal p o wer t o co n t ro l D u s t in ’ s co n d u ct

,

t h ey h ad t h e ab i l i t y t o rem o v e t h e d efam at i o n

. Th e o n l y ev i d en ce o n t h e s u b j ect i n t h e

r eco rd i s t h at

, w h en t h e Bo st o ns co nt act ed Faceb o ok

, co m p an y o ffi ci al s res p o n d e d

t h at on l y t h e u s er wh o s i g n ed u p fo r t h e p as swo rd -p ro tect ed acco un t h ad t h e au t h o ri t y

t o re m o v e t h e p ag e fro m t h e fo ru m

. Th ere i s n o ev i d en ce t h at t he At h earn s

u n i l at eral l y h ad t h e ab il it y t o t ak e d o w n t h e u n au t h o ri zed Faceb o o k p ag e b y v i rt u e

o f t h e fact t h at i t w a s creat ed o n a co m p u t er i n t h ei r h o m e, b ecau s e i t was creat ed

u s i n g an In t ern et s erv i ce t h ey p ai d fo r, o r o t h erwi s e. See M u l l in a x v. Mi ll er

, 2 4 2 Ga.

Ap p

. 8 1 1

, 8 1 4 (5 3 1 SE2 d 39 0 ) (2 0 0 0 ) (In th e co n tex t o f o ur l i b el l aws

, “ [p ] ub l i cat i o n

en t ai ls t h e ab i l i t y to co n t r o l t h e l i b el .”) (ci tat i o n s an d p u nct u at i o n o m i tt ed ; em p h as i s

i n ori gi n al ). Becau s e t h ere i s n o ev i d en ce s u p p o rt i n g t h is t h eo ry of reco v ery

, t h e t ri al

co u rt d i d n o t err i n g ran t i n g t h e At h earn s ’ m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t i n p art

.

Ju d g men t a ff i r med in p a r t a n d r ever

s ed i n p a r t

. Ph i

p p s

, C. J., a n d McMi l l i a n,

J., co n cu r

.

p u b l i cat i o n o f t h e l i b e l d u ri n g t h e s eco n d h o u r, al t ho u gh n o t fo r th e

o ri g in al p u bl i cat i on

. Res tat em en t (Seco n d ) o f To rt s § 5 7 7

, Co m m en t o n s ub s ect i o n (2 ), Il lu s t rat i o n . See

Dav id El d er, “ Defam at i o n : A Lawy er’ s Gu i d e,” § 1: 24 (u p d at ed J u l y 2 0 1 4 )

(d i s cu s s i ng Res t at em en t (Seco n d ) o f To rt s § 5 7 7 an d rel at ed cas es ).

15