Designer’s lawsuit against Courtney Love for libel on Twitter continues

A judge on Monday denied a bid by Courtney Love to dismiss a lawsuit against her by a fashion designer who alleges Kurt Cobain’s widow used Twitter to disseminate “an obsessive and delusional crusade” of malicious libel.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz rejected arguments by Love’s attorneys that the lawsuit by Dawn Simorangkir infringed on her right to free speech. He said the statements Love made were not issues of public interest and that Simorangkir has a good chance of winning her case.

Love’s lawyer, Olaf Muller, said his client will appeal. He argued Love’s remarks were matters of consumer interest because they were an attempt to warn others who might deal online with Simorangkir.

Love is the first celebrity to be sued for allegedly making defamatory remarks on Twitter, according to Simorangkir’s lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman. Her suit, filed March 26, also alleges Love slandered her on MySpace.

Freedman praised Monday’s ruling and said it also reflects on Love’s current image.


“It shows Ms. Love is now more famous for her bad behavior than for her music career,”

Bryan Freedman said.

Simorangkir maintains that Love became infatuated with her and her Boudoir Queen clothing line after discovering the designer on Etsy, an online marketplace catering to independent designers.

Love hired Simorangkir to create clothing for her and flew her out to Los Angeles, but then balked when she was invoiced for the designer’s work in February and March, according to the lawsuit.

When Simorangkir suspended her work for Love, the singer began “exhibiting an intense level of animosity towards Simorangkir that has gone well beyond what any reasonable person would consider acceptable behavior,” the suit alleges.

Some of Love’s alleged Twitter messages are attached to Simorangkir’s complaint, including one that reads, “Oi vey don’t (expletive) with my wardrobe or you will end up in a circle of scorched earth hunted ’til your dead.”

According to Simorangkir’s suit, Love used Twitter to disseminate “an obsessive and delusional crusade” of malicious libel against her.

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