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The Current State of ‘Ryan Kopf v Trae Dorn’

Some of you may be aware that in December AnimeCon.org CEO Ryan Kopf filed a defamation suit in the state of Iowa against me for articles published here on Nerd & Tie. After I launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover my legal costs, Kopf had the lawsuit amended to include Pher Sturz (who had vocally supported me on Facebook).

Well, for the first time since this ordeal started, I’m happy to report some good news.

In February my lawyer filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds of personal jurisdiction, and I’m pleased to announce that yesterday that motion was granted. For now, it seems, I am (at least personally) out of the woods.

Now, this doesn’t mean this thing is over. The case is still active for Pher Sturz, and he’ll need to file his own motion to dismiss. That motion would also need to be granted by a judge, so the suit doesn’t end until that happens. Likewise, this also doesn’t prevent Kopf from trying to bring a case against me in Indiana (where I actually live).

But it’s still wonderful news, and things are moving in the right direction.

Update: Aaaand Kopf’s attorney has filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Dismissal ruling and also a request to do jurisdictional discovery. Because of course he did.

Update (4/4): So more has happened since this was written.

Trae Dorn

Trae Dorn has been staffing conventions for over twenty-five years. They also wrote and drew the now completed webcomic UnCONventional, and produce the podcasts BS-Free Witchcraft, On This Day With Trae, Stormwood & Associates, The Meatgrinder, and The Nerd & Tie Podcast. This leads many to ask how the heck they have the time to get it all done. Trae says they have the time because they “do it all quite poorly.”

6 thoughts on “The Current State of ‘Ryan Kopf v Trae Dorn’

  • Pingback: Dorn Granted Dismissal From Kopf Suit | File 770

  • I’m assuming that by “personal jurisdiction,” it basically means that you committed the “crime” in Indiana, not Iowa, so he can’t sue you in Iowa?

    Reply
    • Let’s not use the word “crime” — especially since (as I’ve stated before) I’ve never ACTUALLY committed defamation — but yeah. A judge agreed that the state of Iowa has no jurisdiction over me.

      He can still try to sue me in Indiana, since that would be the proper venue for any suit like this.

      Reply
      • That’s why I put it in quotes .He’s CLAIMING it is… but we know the truth.

        Reply
          • Personally, I’m not sure Kopf knows the difference ^^;

            Reply

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