2010 June 29

Doucette v. Brunswick News, 2010 NBQB 233

In this Norwich application, the New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench ordered that the respondents Brunswick News, CanadaEast Interactive and CanadaEast.com produce all information regarding the identity of the person who posted allegedly defamatory comments on the “Letters to the Editor” section of the CanadaEast.com website under the name “Anonymous Anonymous” on February 18 and 19, 2010. The Court held, inter alia, that: (i) the information sought by the applicant was necessary to identify wrongdoers, (ii) the language used by “Anonymous Anonymous” was prima facie defamatory, (iii) the applicant had provided evidence sufficient to raise a valid, bona fide or reasonable claim, and (iv) that the interests of justice favoured disclosure.