https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.336935/gov.uscourts.cand.336935.18.0.pdf
Darkspilver states that, in his experience, people who voice their disagreement or doubts
“face rejection [by] and disapproval” from other members of the Jehovah’s Witness community,
including leadership and ordinary members. (Id.) Those who openly disagree with the
organization’s teachings publicly may be labelled “apostates” and be “excommunicated” or
“disfellowshipped” from the community. (Id.) Other Jehovah’s Witnesses, including friends and
family members, cut off ordinary social interactions with people who have been disfellowshipped.
(Id.) Darkspilver has personal knowledge of people who, after voicing certain opinions, have been
shunned by Jehovah’s Witnesses, including people with whom they had close relationships. (Id.)
This is so true I was charge with and disfellowshipped for "Speaking Against The Organization" I asked the elders who summoned me to a kangaroo court Judicial hearing to write down the charges and sign it, to which they refused, I then asked to have my lawyer present to which they refused, and while at the meeting I was asked if I had any recording devices as these were not allowed, to which I said why all this secrecy to which they assured me that the secrecy was for my protection not theirs, to which I laughed and mocked them.
In balancing the harms, while considering the fair use defense, the Court finds that they tip
sharply in Darkspilver’s favor. However, the Court notes that Darkspilver’s concerns stem largely
out of his fear that those in his congregation will discover his identity and shun him. If Reddit
reveals Darkspilver’s identity to Watch Tower’s counsel, under an “attorney’s eyes only”
restriction, then any harm to Darkspilver would be alleviated. This restriction would enable
Watch Tower to pursue its copyright claim without causing harm to Darkspilver.
Therefore, the Court HEREBY GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART Darkspilver’s
motion to quash. Reddit shall respond to the subpoena and provide the requested information to
Watch Tower’s counsel. However, only attorneys of record in this matter may obtain
information about Darkspilver’s identity. Watch Tower’s attorneys of record shall not to
disclose Darkspilver’s identity to anyone else without approval in a Court Order from this Court.
For example, Watch Tower’s attorneys of record may not disclose Darkspilver’s identity even to
its client, staff, or expert witnesses without approval in a Court Order from this Court.*3
This is a good thing which may put the WT legal team on the horns of a dilemma and open them up to more lawsuits in the future.
If Watch Tower elects to file a lawsuit against Darkspilver, the Court directs Watch Tower
to seek to file the suit under his pseudonym and to keep his actual identity under seal, for
attorney’s eyes only. Moreover, Watch Tower is admonished that any violation of this Order will
be sanctioned and that this Court retains jurisdiction over any potential violation of this Order.
I think this is a very good thing!
*3 Watch Tower claimed at the hearing that it plans to disclose Darkspilver’s identity to its
forensic experts so that Watch Tower can determine how Darkspilver obtained confidential
information in the chart and prevent further disclosure of that confidential information. This
purpose is not related at all to a copyright issue, and for that reason, the Court rejects that form of
disclosure.
Yea!!!! squirm WT squirm.
