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Does a Negative Online Review Constitute Libel?

Started by Duncan Riley · 7 months ago

Stating your opinion online could now constitute libel, if a group of businesses has its way. Several companies are filing lawsuits over online reviews saying negative things about their services. A report in today’s Sun Sentinel describes two such cases moving through the courts rig ... Continue reading »

6 comments

  • Pat Hawks

    7 months ago

    Actually, it's not quite as straight forward as you (and most of us) would like it to be.
    Saying a hotel was “filthy and bug-infested" is different from saying "I think it was filthy and bug-infested."
    Note the very subtle difference?
    reply
  • Wogan

    7 months ago

    If you haven't got anything good to say, say nothing at all.

    I think the problem here is that social media instills a sort of "duty" to warn others of terrible services (or in this case, hotels). I believe that those bloggers were fully within their rights to say what they said. If the claims are false, then the hotel companies would easily be able to invite a few unbiased members of the public (or media) to check out hotel conditions, and get proof that the blogger was over-reacting.

    The fact that they're going to court with this would seem to suggest otherwise, and whether or not they win the lawsuit, I reckon people are going to think twice when they hear their name. They're doing themselves more damage than a blog post ever could.
    reply
  • Bad Entrepreneur

    7 months ago

    The law and business are going to have to learn to adapt to Consumer 2.0.

    The web means that consumers can communicate opinions on poor products but just as likely, they can stimulate interest in a product with a positive review.

    Nobody ever complains when they get a great review and enjoy hundreds of visitors and enquiries!
    reply
  • Book Hotel

    6 months ago

    Most of the reviews cannot be tracked and there is nothing a hotel could do to control what people say. 99% of the time, the reviews reflect reality.. You obviously get the odd person that complains about everything.
    reply
  • christan singles

    4 months ago

    Actually, it's not
    reply
  • Name

    1 week ago

    I was just threatened on the phone by an auto body shop for an opinion he found online. He didn't ask if I did it he said "'WE FIXED YOUR CAR ON -----AND YOU WROTE A REVIEW ONLINE ...AND YOU NEED TO GET IF OFF...IF YOU DON'T GET IT OFF YOU'LL HEAR FROM MY ATTORNEY" I called back and asked which website I could find my name and he said my name was not on there but he assumed it was me..I said I didn't know what he was talking about and that I would be there with the police for the threatening phone call...I did a search online..found 3 reviews for this place...but could not find my name anywhere..so what should I do?
    reply

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