Shooting victim Michael Trkulja sues Google

[philw]

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,26418851-5014239,00.html

A MUSIC promoter who was shot in the back is suing internet giant Google, alleging it branded him a crook and a member of Melbourne's underworld.

Michael Trkulja claims that a person putting his name into Google's search engine will be directed to websites where his name and photograph are mixed with underworld figures and crime identities.

Mr Trkulja was shot in the back by a hitman wearing a balaclava while dining with his elderly mother at a St Albans restaurant in June 2004.

The would-be killer fled after his pistol jammed as he prepared to fire a second shot.

Police did not link the shooting to Melbourne's underworld war and Mr Trkulja claims his reputation has been gravely injured.

He says he is an organiser and a leader of the community of the former Yugoslavia in Australia and is well-known within that community.

In his lawsuit he claims a person putting his name into Google Images or using the Google search engine is directed to a gallery of alleged crooks that includes his photograph or to a website specialising in Melbourne crime.

He is suing Google, Google Australia and a Utah-based website host in the Victorian Supreme Court for damages, including aggravated damages.

In a statement of claim he says that he contacted Google in October and said all links to the allegedly defamatory material should be removed and demanded his legal costs be paid.

He says that Google has not complied with the requests and failed to provide contact details of the publishers of the defamatory material.

He is also seeking an injunction against Google ordering the removal of the material from its computers and servers.

[garand4life]

This is crazy. It's not Google's job to police what people put in the content of their websites. And since Goolge is a compiler they can't be responsible unless the material is theirs.

[CJS3]

This is crazy. It's not Google's job to police what people put in the content of their websites. And since Goolge is a compiler they can't be responsible unless the material is theirs.

It's funny how Google can censor their content for the Chinese, but not for a private citizen. Even after that citizen has pointed out malicious content. Oh well, it's just a few million. They won't miss it.

[philw]

This is crazy. It's not Google's job to police what people put in the content of their websites. And since Goolge is a compiler they can't be responsible unless the material is theirs.

yep   got to love how they try it on though



one sucky thing about our defamation laws    even if the facts are true   there have been cases  still going the the person suing  caus goodie too shoes   sided with them.. 

[garand4life]

I found it funny in October last year when there were reports coming from several conservative organizations that Google was pressured by Obama's "Truth Squad" to make changes to certain results. After it became known to the Obama campaign that Obama's name was coming up on Google search results in connection with his Insanely fascist counterparts like Wright and Saul Alinsky, Obama had his SS pressure Google to block the results or face the brute force of the Federal Government. Obviously he had a pretty good idea he would have the ability soon enough. Just goes to show that if you have the political ability to kill something and the guts to bypass the Constitution who knows what you can accomplish.

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