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A comment on “Involuntary porn” site tests the boundaries of legal extortion. Parent comment

Re:“Involuntary porn” site tests the boundaries of legal ext... by larrys on Tuesday November 13, 2012 @10:28AM (#4778436)
"de facto extortion"

Extortion is many times a matter how something is framed though. Lawyers do this frequently with "demand" letters worded carefully to achieve their purpose but avoid appearing to extort a settlement on their clients behalf.

Extortion is more a "if you don't, then I'll" as opposed to "if you don't" (and you let the other person come to to the obvious conclusion.)

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Re:“Involuntary porn” site tests the boundaries of legal ext... by Evbn on Tuesday November 13, 2012 @11:09AM (#4778686)
Not really. Lawyers aren't guilty of extortion when the demand letter asserts a demand they are entitled to. They issue threats to redress a legal wrong, not to obtain a preference. If a lawyer issues threats based on non-defensible demands, the victim has cause to react with countersuit or criminal charges.
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