Comments on: Lough to sue writer?

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:13:53 +0000

Lol! How I laughed! You should check out the LLB qualifications after Ms Ross’ name!!!!

By: Anon

Anon — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:45:29 +0000

Hi Martin,

Excellent post and what a hilarious comment from herself.

Please take a visit to Eskragh lough the next time you are home. You’ll probably be, as many are, saddened at what was once Eskragh lough- a sanctuary for the locals of Eskragh. Unfortunately it is now as commercialised as Christmas.
Can’t wait to spread your article/response to the people of Eskragh. No doubt they’ll have a good laugh at the post comment, just as I did. Easy telling its not a local who wrote it.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:29:16 +0000

Thanks guys.

To be honest I was never worried about the legal aspect (luckily as a PR/Journo I’ve had some decent training in what constitutes defamation under UK law and I was pretty sure of my position) but I was annoyed that anyone would approach me like that – waving aroudn vague legalese as though I was supposed to be intimidated by it – it smacked of an attempt to bully me , and I don’t respond well to bullies.

That said, when the people involved approached me politely (at the second attempt) and made a more-or-less reasonable request, I didn’t see any reason not to make a minor change to the name of the lough.

The principle wasn’t so much in the request to change the story as in the way they made the request.

Frank – use the story as you wish, but don’t forget the royalty payments!

By: David Murphy

David Murphy — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:47:12 +0000

Frightening stuff – an appalling vista for all writers! The Phoenix Magazine here in Dublin would have a ball with that legal threat. I suggest you contact them with the details.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:20:45 +0000

That’s crazy. If you want to tell this story (about the story!) in a letter to Albedo, please do! It’s an interesting aside to the challenges of writing fiction and I’ll use your example (if I may) in my writing classes next summer.

Cheers,

Frank

By: Shaun CG

Shaun CG — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:26:31 +0000

As Jonathan says, wing it at Private Eye et al – bet they’d appreciate the humour of it too.

Meanwhile, I’m jealous one of your flash stories has amassed 400 views! My top-rated flash piece is ‘Our Bright Horizon’ – a non-genre story – with a hefty 40 views… so what’s that, about half a read?

By: Jonathan M

Jonathan M — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:50:34 +0000

If I were you, I’d drop Private Eye a line (as well as the Mail and The Sun) as they tend to enjoy these types of stories