Appalled by British libel law

Re “Libel over there,” editorial, April 9

As a British writer, I’m embarrassed that U.S. states are having to pass legislation to protect Americans from malicious court cases pursued under my country’s draconian libel laws. It seems absurd that a British court can claim jurisdiction over an American who may never even have set foot here, simply because his book could be obtained in Britain via the Internet.

State Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) is to be congratulated for acting to protect Californians from this legal anomaly.

In passing legislation to protect Americans from the excesses of British libel, state politicians also help to highlight the need for reform here in Britain. This struggle will continue until writers on both sides of the Atlantic are free to speak the truth without fear of legal misadventures.

Richard Wilson

London