Delaware Student Seeks Damages for Gossip

A University of Delaware student from New Jersey has gone to federal court to find out who was responsible for posting gossip about her on a Web site.

The woman, identified only as Jane Doe, also wants damages for what she claims were defamatory statements. The lawsuit claims the messages were posted in September at juicycampus.com. The woman alleges the statements included “vulgar, scurrilous and false” claims about her sexual history.

A federal judge has ruled that the woman can proceed anonymously to protect herself from additional humiliation.

Some observers say the lawsuit could chill free speech. They fear blog operators could be coerced into censoring their sites.