Klayman v. Zuckerberg
910 F. Supp. 2d 314
D.D.C.2012Background
- Klayman sues Zuckerberg and Facebook for negligence and assault over a Third Palestinian Intifada page on Facebook.
- Facebook operates Facebook.com, a social-networking site enabling user-generated content.
- Klayman, a self-represented attorney, encountered the offending page and alleged removal delays by Facebook.
- Defendants removed the case to federal court and moved to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) and to transfer.
- Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief and damages, but the court considers only the CDA defense at this stage.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the CDA bars the suit in full | Klayman argues §230 does not bar claims | Facebook argues immunity under §230(c)(1) | Yes, CDA bars the suit in full |
| Whether Facebook is an interactive computer service provider | Facebook should be treated as publisher/creator of content | Facebook provides/ enables access to a multi-user server | Facebook is an interactive computer service provider |
| Whether defendants are liable as publishers or speakers | Defendants’ conduct stems from breach of duties independent of publishing | Liability derives from status as publisher/speaker | Liability arises from publishing/deciding to publish; immunized under §230 |
| Whether Facebook is an information content provider for the challenged content | Defendants contributed to content | Defendants did not create the content; not an information content provider | Defendants not information content providers; immune under §230 |
Key Cases Cited
- Blumenthal v. Drudge, 992 F. Supp. 44 (D.D.C. 1998) (CDA immunizes providers for third-party content)
- Nemet Chevrolet, Ltd. v. Consumeraffairs.com, Inc., 591 F.3d 250 (4th Cir. 2009) (information content provider inquiry; content created by others not immune)
- Barnes v. Yahoo!, Inc., 570 F.3d 1096 (9th Cir. 2009) (publisher liability framework under §230(c)(1))
- Carafano v. Metrosplash.com, Inc., 339 F.3d 1119 (9th Cir. 2003) (information content provider scope; publication decisions not immunized universally)
- Zeran v. America Online, Inc., 129 F.3d 327 (4th Cir. 1997) (liability for publisher’s traditional editorial functions barred)