Metropolitan International Schools Ltd (t/a Skillstrain and/or Train2game) v Designtechnica Corporation (t/a Digital Trends) & Ors

Metropolitan International Schools Ltd (t/a Skillstrain and/or Train2game) v Designtechnica Corporation (t/a Digital Trends) & Ors

The court found that the forum threads published by Digital Trends contained defamatory statements about the claimant, that the meanings pleaded were proved false, and that the extent and gravity of publication warranted damages of £50,000 to vindicate the claimant's reputation.

Parties
Claimant: Metropolitan International Schools Limited (T/A SkillsTrain and/or Train2Game); First Defendant: Designtechnica Corporation (T/A Digital Trends); Second Defendant: Google UK Limited; Third Defendant: Google Inc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 October 2010
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Assessment of Damages After Default Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the claimant against the first defendant for £50,000 in damages.
Legal Topics
Libel, Damages, Internet Publication, Corporate Reputation
Defamation Tort Libel Damages Internet Publication Corporate Reputation

Case Brief

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Parties

Metropolitan International Schools Limited (T/A SkillsTrain and/or Train2Game)

Claimant

Designtechnica Corporation (T/A Digital Trends)

First Defendant

Google UK Limited

Second Defendant

Google Inc

Third Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation / Assessment of Damages After Default Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the publications by Digital Trends were defamatory of the claimant
  2. 2 Whether the defamatory meanings pleaded were proved false
  3. 3 Assessment of damages for libel

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the forum threads published by Digital Trends contained defamatory statements about the claimant, that the meanings pleaded were proved false, and that the extent and gravity of publication warranted damages of £50,000 to vindicate the claimant's reputation.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimant against the first defendant for £50,000 in damages.

Orders

  • Digital Trends to pay £50,000 in damages to the claimant.