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Uncategorized Saturday, December 8th 2012 at 1:10 pm

Judge Orders Yelp Reviewer Being Sued for $750,000 to Reword Negative Comments

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When will businesses learn that taking folks to court over negative commentary only ends badly for everyone involved? Apparently not anytime soon. Contractor Dietz Development is currently suing one Jane Perez over the comments she left about the company on Yelp. Some of Perez’s jewelry apparently went missing, and her review essentially accused the contractor of stealing it, as they had a key. Pretty standard accusations that someone might make when things go missing while others have access to their home. Unfortunately, the judge didn’t agree, and Perez was ordered to tone down the review on Wednesday.

The Verge explains why Dietz feels they have a case:

Dietz says those harsh words have directly caused the company to lose out on new work endeavors. Accordingly, it’s asking for significant damages due to the lasting influence Perez’s words have had on its reputation with customers.

This is just a preliminary injunction, so it’s not like the case is settled. Dietz is suing for $750,000, which is a pretty hefty price to pay on top of apparently losing jewelry. Though the trial might officially determine a winner in this conflict, everyone involved appears to be on the losing side of things.

Perez is being sued, Dietz has become known for suing their customers, and someone’s going to end up parting with some money. Way to go, legal system. You’ve really outdone yourself this time.

(The Daily Dot via The Verge)

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  • datsneefa

    can’t imagine someone using a company that is known for being litigious.

  • Anonymous

    This judge should be fired, ordering someone to reword or tone down their opinions is a clear violation of the first amendment. I hate how sue happy people are over “defamation”. Defamation laws IMO are unconstitutional to begin with.

  • Rwilsker

    So if an angry customer libels your business, you have no recourse just because the customer used Yelp (or Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)?

    We do need a less expensive way to handle this, but it does need to be handled. I’ve seen both underhanded companies and nutso, unsatisfiable customers.

  • http://twitter.com/newfielivingin rc fisher

    Frink… i hate when people use the term unconstitutional without understanding it… the laws against libel aren’t specifically enumerated in the constitution… but laws against murder and thievery aren’t either… libel is ensconced in the common law… where most criminal law and tort law comes from. these are the basic laws that govern most of the english speaking world… the things that everyone agrees on… like you can’t just make wild claims that cannot be backed up with proof. Freedom to lie with impunity… or make any accusation you want is not free speech.

    The judge did their job and held up the rule of law… and you’re an idiot.