Gawker Media, LLC v. Bollea

NORTHCUTT, Judge.

This controversy sprang from a seed planted sometime in 2006, when Terry Bol-lea, a celebrated former professional wrestler known publicly as “Hulk Hogan,” had sex with Heather Clem, then married to Bollea’s friend Todd Clem, a “shock jock” radio personality whose nom de scene is “Bubba the Love Sponge.” The encounter was videotaped, with audio, allegedly without Bollea’s knowledge. Six years later, in October 2012, a celebrity news and gossip website named Gawk-er.com posted an excerpt of the videotape to the Internet. Litigation ensued.

After a brief initial foray into…