The case is Varrenti v. Gannett Co. (Aug. 3). The court held that the comments, in context, would be seen as expressions of opinion rather than statements of verifiable fact — largely because readers would seem them as “sarcastic, hyperbolic, and based on rumors” — and that the comments are therefore protected against a libel lawsuit. Because of this, the court held, the plaintiffs wouldn’t even be able to get discovery of the anonymous commenters’ identifying information.
Thanks to MLRC: Actions Against Online Speech for the pointer.