In 2002, Ampex won the first round of its online slander lawsuit, forcing Yahoo to turn over e-mail records to help identify an anonymous former employee the company is suing for online slander.

  They were then able to pursue the name of a vocal critic of Ampex, known only as "Exampex" on a Yahoo bulletin board.  Once Ampex was able to prove they had been libeled by "Exampex", the judge allowed them to pursue the person's true identity.

  It was said this decision strengthened First Amendment protection of privacy rights for online corporate critics.

  Amongst the statements made online by "Exampex", the anonymous poster alleged that Ampex President Edward J. Bramson had once observed that marijuana smokers should be "taken out and shot" and that a single mother who had contracted AIDS got what she deserved.

  Amex said that the "venomous" Internet postings had severely damaged his reputation and hurt the image of Ampex among shareholders and potential investors.

  Apparently, this person, "Exampex", was actually a former employee.