Have you been defamed online or in other forms of media? Has your company's brand and reputation been damaged due to an online posting? Have you been sued or have you received a notice of an action in defamation? Are you or your loved ones victims of cyberbullying? Have you or your loved ones been the target of online harassment or messages that are intimidating or threatening? We can help.

Defamation

Defamation includes the posting or publication of false statements about others, and it can happen in a variety of ways, whether oral (slander), in writing (libel), in a newspaper or broadcast (radio, TV, or YouTube), or in posts on the Internet (websites, blogs, or social media). Regardless of how it happens, defamation can have serious negative consequences on your personal reputation and on your or your empoloyer’s business. We understand the significant investment in time and resources required to develop your personal or business reputation. We understand the turmoil that your reputation is subjected to by damaging false statements, especially online, and that often the nature of the harm caused by defamatory statements is not easily quantifiable.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, online bullying, or cyberharassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means, typically by way of the Internet or social media. Cyberbullies bully, intimidate, and harass others on the Internet and other digital spaces, particularly on social media. It can include posting rumours or threats, making unwanted sexual remarks, revenge porn, disclosing sensative personal information, or engaging in hate speech. Sadly, cyberbullying has become increasingly common in recent years, especially among teenagers, as the Internet and social media have expanded and technology has advanced and both have deepened their involvement and impact in our lives. We understand the powerful negative impact that cyberbullying can have on its victims and the psychological damage involved.

Non-Consensual Intimate Images, Deepfakes, and "Revenge Porn"

At ZvK, we have significant experience representing victims of non-consensual intimate images and intimate deepfakes (sometimes referred to as "revenge porn"). We provide comprehensive legal services aimed at securing the removal of these images, identifying responsible parties, and pursuing civil claims for damages, while always prioritizing our clients’ privacy and emotional well-being. Our approach is tailored to the sensitive nature of these cases, ensuring victims receive personalized attention and strategic guidance through every step of the process. We are committed to achieving justice for our clients and protecting their online reputation and personal dignity.

Personalized Legal Advice

We work diligently to provide you with personalized attention and customized legal advice regarding your rights and remedies in defamation and cyberbullying matters. We take great care to invest the necessary time to understand your unique situtation in order to develop effective strategies and provide adaptive legal advice catered to your specific personal needs. We help devise suitable strategies, tactics, and remedies for you, including engaging appropriate experts, security professionals, and investigators to identify and locate the perpetrator and seeking special court orders, such as Anton Piller Orders (a form of civil search warrant that allows the plaintiff to enter the defendant's premises and remove documents to preserve evidence related to the dispute), court-mandated injunctions to restrain the perpetrator from continuing with their defamatory conduct, and court-imposed take-down orders to removed defamatory posts from online search engines.

International Claims

Our lawyers have years of experience in advising Canadian and foreign clients regarding litigation matters in the Province of Ontario and in other jurisdictions, and we regularly work closely with U.S. lawyers and other foreign counsel on defamation and cyberbullying matters. Our lawyers have expertise in litigating defamation cases in Ontario where the defendant is located in another country as well as enforcing foreign judgments in Ontario.

Urgent Timelines

Regardless of the nature or circumstances involved in a defamation claim, in any such action it is absolutely imperative to move promptly in order to exercise your rights and remedies, because the limitation periods for bringing a defamation claim can be very short.

OUR SERVICES

• Working with you to understand your unique situation and personalized needs

• Assistance with removal of defamatory content from the Internet and search engine results

• Assistance with identifying the “anonymous” persons behind defamation and bullying

• Engaging experts, security professionals and investigators

• Working with U.S. and other foreign counsel on defamation and cyberbullying matters

• Advocacy and representation before the courts

• Anti-SLAPP proceedings