LOS ANGELES -- Courtney Love has lost an attempt to have a fashion designer's lawsuit against her dismissed.
The suit by Dawn Simorangkir claims Love used Twitter to disseminate "an obsessive and delusional crusade" of malicious libel.
Love is the first celebrity to be sued for allegedly making defamatory remarks on Twitter, according to Simorangkir's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman.
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."
The lawsuit, filed March 26, also claims Love slandered the fashion designer on MySpace.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz on Monday rejected arguments by Love's attorneys that the lawsuit infringed on her right to free speech. Munoz 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, argued his client's remarks were matters of consumer interest because they were an attempt to warn others who might deal online with Simorangkir.
He said Love will appeal.
Freedman praised the 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," Freedman said.
Simorangkir claims 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 the designer 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.
The suit alleges that when Simorangkir suspended her work for Love, the singer began "exhibiting an intense level of animosity toward Simorangkir that has gone well beyond what any reasonable person would consider acceptable behavior."
Love is the widow of Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain.
She is also the lead singer for the alternative rock band Hole.
The suit by Dawn Simorangkir claims Love used Twitter to disseminate "an obsessive and delusional crusade" of malicious libel.
Love is the first celebrity to be sued for allegedly making defamatory remarks on Twitter, according to Simorangkir's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman.
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."
The lawsuit, filed March 26, also claims Love slandered the fashion designer on MySpace.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz on Monday rejected arguments by Love's attorneys that the lawsuit infringed on her right to free speech. Munoz 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, argued his client's remarks were matters of consumer interest because they were an attempt to warn others who might deal online with Simorangkir.
He said Love will appeal.
Freedman praised the 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," Freedman said.
Simorangkir claims 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 the designer 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.
The suit alleges that when Simorangkir suspended her work for Love, the singer began "exhibiting an intense level of animosity toward Simorangkir that has gone well beyond what any reasonable person would consider acceptable behavior."
Love is the widow of Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain.
She is also the lead singer for the alternative rock band Hole.
