Re: [APD] Legal implications of free speech...

[Derek Parr <derekparr at earthlink_net>]

I was about to say the same thing.  In fact, from my corner of the 
internet, it looks like sites and services like "epinions.com" and of 
course "pricewatch.com" have become more prevalent and common in recent 
years.  And many many of the "opinions" and "language" I've read there 
put the posts that were made here regarding PW incredibly tame.   And 
this post of yours is the first time I've ever heard of any other 
forum/list having a "strict policy of not allowing negative comments of 
businesses".  I don't think such a thing exists.

I won't argue that the legal system isn't broke in spots though.

Besides... I'd hardly say PW won.  He went bankrupt and lost his 
business.   But that doesn't mean anyone else won either.  Except 
perhaps everyone else who doesn't worry about such things.  Also I think 
its wrong to suggest that those who continued to stand up to him got 
nothing out of it.  We all got something out of that, list members and 
everyone else.

-derek parr




S. Hieber wrote:
> Excellent points that come from hard experience.
> 
> Curiously, epinions.com still allows negative reviews, so
> does, for example, newegg.com and other such computer
> vendors as well as other shopping sites that allow
> users/shoppers to post product reviews. I am, however,
> totally ignorant of what tortious consequences, if any,
> have resulted.
> 
> sh
> 
> --- Robert H <robertph3 at comcast_net> wrote:
> 
> 
>>It didn't really need to go all the way since the
>>majority of us settled. 
>>And those that did not have dragged on into legal limbo.
>>What do you think 
>>the price was we paid? It cost us money, people gave up
>>WEB sites and other 
>>things not to mention the anguish and torment. And beyond
>>that PW won in the 
>>long run. He changed forever how this forum and every
>>other aquarium forum 
>>operates. In the last four years every aquarium WEB forum
>>now has a strict 
>>policy of not allowing negative comments of businesses.
>>And whether anyone 
>>admits it or not, although the bravado, over
>>exaggerration, and lies by the 
>>plantiff were dispicable, there was an underlining truth
>>behind it that we 
>>were irresponsible in our comments.  It didn't matter if
>>it was the truth or 
>>not.  People went overboard. And while this may not be a
>>popular thing to 
>>say on this forum, it is a realization that many of us
>>have come to 
>>privately.
>>
>>
_______________________________________________
Aquatic-Plants mailing list
Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo/aquatic-plants