Apparently Karen N. Calvo-Goller, author and senior lecturer at the Academic Center of Law and Business in Israel does not take criticism too well. She recently wrote a book entitled “The Trial Proceedings of the International Criminal Court.”
When Thomas Weigend, a professor at the University of Cologne gave Goller’s new book a mediocre book review, she was not too pleased. Weigend mildly criticized Goller’s conceptual grasp on some matters and stated the book adopted a “measured and patiently condescending tone.”
Goller contacted the editor of the site where it was published and asked that the review be removed. The site editor and professor at New York University, Joseph Weiler, refused to remove the review, but did inform Goller that she could respond it. She refused.
After all, Goller had a better idea. She filed a lawsuit for defamation and criminal libel in France against Weigend and Weiler. Weigend is a resident of Germany, and the website on which the review was published is based in New York. Goller is currently a professor in Israel. So why did she file the suit in France? She is a French citizen.
Goller alleges that the book review is harmful to her reputation and academic image. Perhaps Goller should examine the effect this lawsuit will have on her reputation considering her solution was to file a lawsuit that will inevitably involve multiple countries rather than just intelligently refute the comments she believes are unwarranted.
You would think a professor and author would expect disagreement as part of the nature of valuable academic discourse. Oh, and what about that little concept we call free speech? First amendment anyone?
So is this lawsuit really about the review or is it a way for Goller to sell more books and gain some notoriety?
