Harry & Meghan: Legal Actions against the Media

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by carlota

oh my... this is never ending, is it? it seems there can't be a month without some sussex drama. and H&M are part of the problem here - they just don't understand that by releasing all these PR comms out they are actually contributing to the problem, rather than helping alleviate it.

Well, H&M simply exist - if that is a problem for some, it can't be helped. What they do with their own publishing activities is to do something for others, while the media most of the time does something against them. That's quite the difference.



There are so many lies or misinformation floating around - why can't the media accept that these two want to live private lifes when they are not working for the sake of other people?

[ACO]

I don't want to twist your words carlota but all I got from your post is that had Harry and Meghan did what the press pack wanted then the attacks on them wouldn't have happened. That is a bit much. I mean that just proves Harry's point.

Also Kate wasn't attacked day in and day put throughput her pregnancies and maternity leave. That was Meghan. So yeah it was a bit quieter in that regard to the Cambridges due to that. I mean even some of the royal correspondents fully admit it has been overboard with Meghan.

Meghan and Harry aren't perfect but overall I have no issue with them suing the MoS and she doesn't have to "fix" anything Markle related. They are not in her life and haven't been for years. The media trying to use them against her is on them.

[bertie5252003]

Harry and his wife need to get on they either can sort out her family matters or just ignore them Harry married into a fam=ily that has a lot of issues and that is not a good idea for a Royal Family but he did and now as Thomas Markle asks for the letter to be published Harry refers again to princess Diana which I find appaling.

[Pranter]

As if the BRF doesn't have a lot of family issues! No one should be marrying into them if that is your standard!




LaRae

[Osipi]

Most likely, as its been stated that this upcoming lawsuit has been in the works for quite a while, Harry and Meghan have had a team of lawyers keeping up with everything happening in the tabloid press. Could very well have even started back around the time of the wedding with the Thomas Markle debacle

The letter Meghan wrote to her father was not only a private communication between the two of them but she also had the the belief that it *was* private and personal and that letter is her own personal intellectual property. Its not a case of what Mr. Markle did with that letter but a legal case against the Mail on Sunday for not only printing it, but "doctoring" it for their own purposes. Its a battle over words that Meghan has authored just as the same happened with Charles' letters.

We have copyright rules here for articles and pictures and they're set in stone to as not to infringe on someone else's intellectual property. We can link to pictures by Getty or such and quote up to 20% of an article along with showing the source (link) to the article itself. With TRF being an international forum, its covering all bases.

There are even international intellectual property laws and groups that focus on it. With Meghan's letter going from the UK to the US and then ending up being looked at by the Sussexs' lawyers on each and every little angle while trying to determine if they had a case or not, it all took time. As stated, the statement by Harry was made as it happened that the filing of the lawsuit was processed through the court and most likely the Mail on Sunday served with papers calling them to court. The statement wasn't just a PR thing Harry did at a time he chose, but a statement released showing intent to sue of which the Mail on Sunday had already been informed. It makes sense for Harry to get it out to the public first before the Mail on Sunday and their lawyers got the upper hand so to speak.

Its made the morning news on our TV show and if my other half is seeing it and asking questions about it and yelling "yellow journalism", then the news of this has really reached the general public. Of course the news show I was watching brings up our old friend, Piers Morgan but it was quickly explained just what motivated the man.

This is going to be a very interesting case to watch but one thing positive that comes out of it even before anyone steps into a courtroom is that the general population who may not have really followed all the garbage that has been thrown at Meghan in the past, is now beginning to see how she's been bullied and tormented by the British tabloid. As I said, if it comes down to my other half actually having an opinion on this matter, its a good thing. He's as interested in following the British royals as I am with following American football.

https://www.upcounsel.com/internatio...l-property-law

[Claricecolin]

There comes a time where the "never complain never explain" thing just doesn't work. I think Harry;yes I think it is Harry more than Meghan in this instance, has had enough. It seems for both Harry and William protecting their families is too priority as it should be. I think Harry still has some unresolved(yet misguided,as he was a child) guilt about not being able to protect his mother. He simply isn't going to allow his wife to be constantly attacked and do nothing.

Will the attacks stop, I doubt it. Actually I expect them to increase. I am optimistic that Harry and Meghan can handle it.

[Dman]

I can’t tell you how much it hurt my heart to see Meghan to go through something like this. Although, my hurt can’t be anywhere compared to what she’s privately feeling. I knew she wasn’t going to have an easy time, but I hoped the outside forces would at least act like they had some sense - that they wouldn’t be so cold-blooded towards her. This is devastating, but I know this couple is fighting back and they appreciate the support they’re getting. So, I’m at least happy about that.

[Panther2000]

Originally Posted by Dman

DAMN! There you go Harry! He came out swinging like hell in that letter. I knew one was coming. The outside forces needed to be put in their place.

Same here, I knew something like this was coming. It is about time, even though it was mainly focused on THAT LETTER. I think it is more than just about the letter. This woman was bullied non-stop after the announcement of her expecting. I have never heard or seen such a thing. Going after a expecting Mother at this level. Don't know how the court case will turn out. But, I am so Proud & happy that they are calling people out on their behavior.

Standing O

[Ista]

As I said before, I think this case is going to be very interesting, and it looks as though the Sussexes have a very good chance of winning the case since British law appears to give the writer of a letter copyright over it.

However, unless I am missing something, that is all the court case is about: the misuse and alleged misleading editing of a specific letter, by a single newspaper. It in no way takes on any of the negative press. Harry's letter does, but the court case doesn't seem to be about that, it seems to be much more narrowly focused. I think breaking out the champagne and celebrating that the negative coverage will be a thing of the past, and that more balanced coverage will be the end result is premature. It would be nice, but I'm not seeing that as a foregone conclusion.

Edited to add: I also will observe that it may be possible that the DM may not have even known about the letter to Meghan's father if the "friends" who gave the interviews to People magazine had not mentioned it, so I hope the additional learning here for the Sussexes is to be wary about friends giving interviews about them. I have also wondered about the sequence of events around the interviews and then the publication of the edited letter in the DM. My assumption, which might well be incorrect, was that the interviews tipped off the DM to go digging.

[Rudolph]

I find it interesting the MoS have decided to not settle this ‘out of court’ and instead will defend itself vigorously.

But I agree it won’t do anything to reduce the negative coverage but probably just add more fuel to the fire.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I agree with the bad timing argument. Couldn't they have waited until they had returned from Africa to announce this lawsuit ?

Pleased to see that the Sussexes have chosen to file the suit, but agree that perhaps they should have waited until they'd returned to the UK.

[Madame Verseau]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I find it interesting the MoS have decided to not settle this ‘out of court’ and instead will defend itself vigorously.

But I agree it won’t do anything to reduce the negative coverage but probably just add more fuel to the fire.

MoS is basically accused of using falsified or altered content in a letter to portrayed Meghan in a bad light. Something tells me Tom Sr is going to be called to testify and explain what he sent to the Mail. I still think MoS sees Markle as a liability.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I find it interesting the MoS have decided to not settle this ‘out of court’ and instead will defend itself vigorously.

But I agree it won’t do anything to reduce the negative coverage but probably just add more fuel to the fire.

of course they will have a court case, what creates more headlines than this? And you have the royals out there actually commenting on it every step of the way. they don't care about the outcome, they want maximum coverage and will focus on their storyline, getting Thomas Markle back in the focus. Just imagine him testifying. There will be statements, interviews etc ... maybe Harry wants a judge who confirms that he agrees with him but on the other side so much gossip will be created, not sure that will help especially Meghan in any way.

[Ista]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

of course they will have a court case, what creates more headlines than this? And you have the royals out there actually commenting on it every step of the way. they don't care about the outcome, they want maximum coverage and will focus on their storyline, getting Thomas Markle back in the focus. Just imagine him testifying. There will be statements, interviews etc ... maybe Harry wants a judge who confirms that he agrees with him but on the other side so much gossip will be created, not sure that will help especially Meghan in any way.

I think if the Sussexes win the case the positive effect will be to prevent or at least discourage people from shopping her or other royal letters around to tabloids, at least in the UK. That would be helpful.

[carlota]

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

MoS is basically accused of using falsified or altered content in a letter to portrayed Meghan in a bad light. Something tells me Tom Sr is going to be called to testify and explain what he sent to the Mail. I still think MoS sees Markle as a liability.

and there we go again! mr markle testifying will further feed the wolves. proves exactly my point that had H&M just kept a quieter profile on this (and many other issues), things would be different. let the circus continue.

Originally Posted by Kataryn

There are so many lies or misinformation floating around - why can't the media accept that these two want to live private lifes when they are not working for the sake of other people?

private lives? are we serious here? they are part of the BRF. either you step down and lead a private life (with all its pros and cons), or you represent the BRF and lead a non public life (with all its pros and cons). they can't have their cake and eat it.

I don't want to twist your words carlota but all I got from your post is that had Harry and Meghan did what the press pack wanted then the attacks on them wouldn't have happened. That is a bit much. I mean that just proves Harry's point.

Also Kate wasn't attacked day in and day put throughput her pregnancies and maternity leave. That was Meghan. So yeah it was a bit quieter in that regard to the Cambridges due to that. I mean even some of the royal correspondents fully admit it has been overboard with Meghan.

Meghan and Harry aren't perfect but overall I have no issue with them suing the MoS and she doesn't have to "fix" anything Markle related. They are not in her life and haven't been for years. The media trying to use them against her is on them.

thanks for remaining polite, ACO. that's certainly a skill some in the forums need more of

as i see it, there is always a reason for things happening. why the attacks have happened or why they have happened on meghan and on harry and not on william and kate, is something for H&M to reflect on. things don't just happen and it takes 2 to tango.

mr markle has definitely been part of meghan's life until the wedding. he was invited and was going to walk her down the aisle until different arrangements had to be made.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Panther2000

Same here, I knew something like this was coming. It is about time, even though it was mainly focused on THAT LETTER. I think it is more than just about the letter. This woman was bullied non-stop after the announcement of her expecting. I have never heard or seen such a thing. Going after a expecting Mother at this level. Don't know how the court case will turn out. But, I am so Proud & happy that they are calling people out on their behavior.

Standing O

I never seen a pregnant woman go through this either. Especially, a senior female member of the royal family. Meghan’s pregnancy was suppose to be a time of celebration and it was turned into something dark and sinister. The same thing could be said about her maternity leave.

[BaiSoSo]

The constant bullying and lying of Meghan is despicable as Harry has said a couple of times now this is not a game....At some point you have to take a stand against it all and the Sussexes have said enough is enough, hence the lawsuit.

As for the timing who knows, there could have been legal deadlines and they postponed it as long as they could (so it wouldn't interfere with the majority of the tour). But honestly, the timing doesn't matter more than the fact that much of the BM has written stories often untrue or twisted on purpose that deliberately hurt people for no real reason. Those people need to be held accountable.

[tommy100]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

“The Queen and the Prince of Wales are understood to have been “informed” about the statement, which was circulated last night. The Duke has spoken with his grandmother, a source said.”

Via The Telegraph

Falls short of saying it was approved by the higher ups. Sounds like they were told about it after the fact.

The use of their own website and the comment about using “private funds” suggests to me that the Queen and others were informed just before or as it was happening. Likewise I suspect they would have had reservations about making the statement during an official tour.

[sophie25]

Even if the court rules against the M o S using the letter it won't make any difference to critical reporting of the Sussex's going forward. The criticism of Meghan is what Harry really objects to but his lawyers must have advised that the letter was the only thing he could legally take the paper to court on. All the court case will do will be to drag the whole issue with her father back into the public domain and he might even be called as a witness. IMO it will descend into a very public dispute between Meghan and Thomas and the paper using the letter will be secondary in the reporting. I think the whole thing will be a circus and a mess and even if they win it won't achieve anything as I'm sure the media will have it in for them even more.

[Pranter]

It's really been going on since the news broke they were dating. It's just increased as time has passed.



LaRae