Courtney Love’s ‘malicious tweets’

It's a Twitter first: a libel action brought against a rock star for libelous 'tweets' on the increasingly popular social networking service. The suit has been filed by a dress designer, Dawn Simorangkir, against Courtney Love, widow of the Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, for carrying out "an obsessive and delusional crusade" of malicious tweets against her.

Court papers lodged in Los Angeles state that "whether caused by drug-induced psychosis, a warped understanding of reality, or the belief that money and fame allow her to disregard the law", Love has set out to destroy Simorangkir's reputation and livelihood.

Love's "crusade" apparently began after the designer sent the singer a $4,000 bill for clothes she had made for her and Love failed to pay. Simorangkir claims Love then began her Twitter assault, accusing her of being a "nasty, lying, hosebag thief" and being guilty of "assault and burglary". In another tweet, Love said the designer would be "hunted til your dead".

At least no one can accuse Love of resorting to using a ghost writer for her tweets - an accusation now being leveled at some celebrities in the US who want to appear to be 'in' on the latest online phenomenon, but can't face the burden of composing the 140-character messages.

The rapper 50 Cent was revealed earlier this month to have used a ghost writer while Britney Spears has advertised for staff to help compose her tweets. America's most popular sports twitterer, basketball giant Shaquille O'Neal, is unimpressed by such laziness. "It's 140 characters. If you need a ghost writer for that, I feel sorry for you," the Shaq said last week.

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