Isn't the bottom line that Bob's and Gailon's words have to be proved to be false?
......or proven to be true?
I don't know. I am just asking.
I think some of both will be included in this lawsuit,
Although some of what is being litigated is considered defamation per se because of the type of accusations and assertions Pickle and Joy have made. Those type of accusations automatically assume damage to the plaintiff, so in those specific types of accusations the burden of proof is definately on the defendants to prove what they have said is true, for all the Plaintiffs have to do is quote them making or repeating these types of statements. Which has already been done by quoting both forum posts, and their website.
It is usually true though that he who asserts must support and prove the assertion.
For example if I suddenly accused you of collecting donations on behalf of a missionary cause and pocketing the money ( we know you haven't done this, it's just an example) How would proof of this be established. Should I tell others well if it's not true he needs to prove it! ? No.
You would no doubt deny this false accusation, and it would be up to me to prove it was true, you wouldn't even know what to address or rebut if I didn't reveal and let you know what led me to this false conclusion and accusation whether it be something I saw or thought or something another had told me they saw, heard or thought...
Much in this case is like this IMO.