Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

[Shawn Zipay]

<div style="float: right; padding: 3px;"><img src="http://csnation.totalgamingnetwork.com/writeable/images/uploaded/image_44942.jpg" border="1">
</div>Jack Thompson (I'll give you a moment here to curse his name) is at it again. This time, the disbarred lawyer is setting out to sue Facebook for $40 million (USD).

None of these activities has made him many friends on Facebook, where there are literally hundreds of groups -- most with just a handful of members -- dedicated to him. The less-offensive sounding ones have names such as I Hate Jack Thompson, Stop Jack Thompson, and Disbar Jack Thompson.

But Thompson says that some of the posts are dangerous and have caused him "great harm and distress."

For example, he cites the group Jack Thompson should be smacked across the face with an Atari 2600 in his lawsuit.

Another link -- now apparently removed from Facebook -- reads: "I will pay $50 to anyone who punches Jack Thompson in the face. If someone can get a video clip of themselves punching Jack Thompson in the face I'll PayPal them $50."

In his court filing, Thompson says he's been harassed ever since the 60 Minutes episode. His house has been shot at, his car vandalized, and he's had "sex aid devices sent to his home." At night, he has to take his phone off the hook to keep from being awakened by angry callers.

Don't worry though, Parry Aftab, a cyber-law attorney says that this lawsuit has "little chance of success."

It appears as though Thompson will do anything for a little more time in the limelight.

[Mr. Bawkbagawk]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

harassing phone calls? news flash crybaby: if you are going to piss off ppl you yourself claim are prone to violence, get an unlisted phone number.

[Unregistered]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

all i can say is LOL

[Linux]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

LOL, I giggled... And my friend apart a couple of the groups... They are pretty funny. This guy makes for a good monthly lol.

[Zegevierend]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

Wait... let me understand. People are mad because he's doesn't like GTA? I never saw the 60 Minutes Ep.

[snkcube]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

He doesn't just hate GTA, but all kinds of M-rated video games.

[Unregistered]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

Come on, shooting at his house and vandalizing his car is too much.

[-:Nighthawk:-]

Re: Jack Thompson Sues Facebook for $40 Million

Whenever you take up a cause, you have to expect that there will be consequences. If you decide to be an atheist, you'll find extremists who hate you for your lack of faith; decide to be religious, and you'll find others still who will ridicule you endlessly for your belief. There will always be those who disagree with what side of an issue you choose, even if you mostly keep it to yourself.

Jack took up a cause, and then went public with it, not just personally holding a view, but actively attacking industries and individuals with lawsuits, smear campaigns, etc. He had to know there would be a backlash, and this is him trying to cash in on the natural effects of his actions.

Yes, vandalizing his car is wrong, and going too far. But it's the equal and opposite reactions to him going too far with the wrong course of action. Harassing others with the threat of financial ruin via multimillion-dollar lawsuits is honestly a bigger deal than some minor vandalism.

I'm curious about the "his house has been shot at" comment though--with Jack, it could be paintball, airsoft or BB guns, and he'd report it like a crack team of deranged teenagers, armed to the teeth, assaulted his home following an M-rated video game binge. Hopefully there wasn't anyone foolish enough to fire real weapons at his home, though just like with school shootings or any other such insanity, there are always the few people amongst the millions who are truly unbalanced.

Anyway, I'm sure Facebook will squash this, and with Jack's previous legal history, any judge would be leery of ruling in his favor.