Vaudeville and Ethics

Hallo Mutti. 'Tschuldige, daß das hier alles gerade nur englischsprachig ist, aber wenn es um Meinungsfreiheit geht, muß ich meinen Beitrag leisten. Wir reden am Telefon darüber...

After translating Moni's original post and TI's press release that was caused by it, I thought that I definitely needed to translate the email she got from the legal advisor and ethics commissary Prof. Dr. Marten. After reading it, you might wonder where this guy got his ethics from. Apparently Jürgen used to be a show entertainer and lawyer in East Germany. (I kid you not!)

Anyway, here is his message he sent her on Friday, 3/24/2006, as quoted in the "Unexpected Email from legal advisor, got until Sunday to decide" post by Moni:

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Dear Mrs. xxx,

At the address http://wasweissich.twoday.net/stories/1407348/ within the European web hosting service twoday.net operated by Knallgrau New Media Solutions GmbH, you placed a text into the web that substantially violates the personality rights of the organization represented by me. This text is evidently based on information from our former employee Mrs. xxx, who has to be accused of considerable infringements as well.

Essentially, the allegations brought forth by you do not correspond to the facts. In the case of evaluations on your part, you are liable of unlawful slander.

I will spare myself the explication of details for now, and instead give you the opportunity to remove the text from the web immediately, no later than 3/26/2006, 12:00 am.

Should this not occur, I am already notifying you of a cease-and-desist letter and, if necessary, a cease-and-desist order. I am assuming that you are aware of the resulting legal and also financial consequences to you.

Sincerely,

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Mkay... I'm gonna go take a shower now. I feel all... hairy.