The Current State of ‘Ryan Kopf v Trae Dorn’
Some of you may be aware that in December AnimeCon.org CEO Ryan Kopf filed a defamation suit in the state of Iowa against me for articles published here on Nerd & Tie. After I launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover my legal costs, Kopf had the lawsuit amended to include Pher Sturz (who had vocally supported me on Facebook).
Well, for the first time since this ordeal started, I’m happy to report some good news.
In February my lawyer filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds of personal jurisdiction, and I’m pleased to announce that yesterday that motion was granted. For now, it seems, I am (at least personally) out of the woods.
Now, this doesn’t mean this thing is over. The case is still active for Pher Sturz, and he’ll need to file his own motion to dismiss. That motion would also need to be granted by a judge, so the suit doesn’t end until that happens. Likewise, this also doesn’t prevent Kopf from trying to bring a case against me in Indiana (where I actually live).
But it’s still wonderful news, and things are moving in the right direction.
Update: Aaaand Kopf’s attorney has filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Dismissal ruling and also a request to do jurisdictional discovery. Because of course he did.
Update (4/4): So more has happened since this was written.
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I’m assuming that by “personal jurisdiction,” it basically means that you committed the “crime” in Indiana, not Iowa, so he can’t sue you in Iowa?
Let’s not use the word “crime” — especially since (as I’ve stated before) I’ve never ACTUALLY committed defamation — but yeah. A judge agreed that the state of Iowa has no jurisdiction over me.
He can still try to sue me in Indiana, since that would be the proper venue for any suit like this.
That’s why I put it in quotes .He’s CLAIMING it is… but we know the truth.
Well, that and it’s civil law, not criminal law. 😉
Personally, I’m not sure Kopf knows the difference ^^;