Office Space Star Sues Over Wikipedia Edit

But Ron Livingston doesn't know which user called him gay
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 9, 2009 12:22 PM CST
Office Space Star Sues Over Wikipedia Edit
Ron Livingston is seen in this Oct. 23, 2006 file photo.   (AP File Photo/Danny Moloshok)

Ron Livingston, the actor probably best known for headlining Office Space, is suing…someone. Livingston is peeved that someone keeps editing his Wikipedia page to say that he’s gay, but since the user is anonymous, his suit simply names him as “John Doe.” The suit, however, will give the actor the power to subpoena Wikipedia and hopefully root out the prankster.

Livingston calls the vandal’s actions “despicable,” alleging libel, invasion of privacy, and breach of publicity rights. He may also subpoena Facebook, since he suspects the same Mr. Doe is behind the fake profile of him on that site, which also asserts that he’s gay. But the suit has issues, one Hollywood attorney tells Wired. Most notably, a New York court recently ruled that a false accusation of homosexuality was not defamation, because there’s nothing wrong or shameful about being gay. (More Ron Livingston stories.)

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