Re: getting sued

> I was looking at the website as I know lots of those hosta people when I 
> noticed and read the article on being sued for making complaints on the net. 
> On forums where people have freely discussed plant related topics for years!  
> Many of the perennial list people sign their names and locations and have for 
> years. There are lots of internet friends here.
> 
> To my amazement the defendents lost or paid up to an aggressive company who 
> took exception to the types of comments often heard on all lists.  Computer 
> equipment lists are particularly filled with this type of remark.
> 
> What do you have to tell us about this?
> 
> Claire Peplowski
> no name, no place and maybe a new alias.

Hi Claire,

   Pretty scary news, isn't it?

   I'm fairly confident that those who are following through will win
   and set a precedent for frivolous lawsuits such as these.  Of course,
   that doesn't help those who already settled.

   The fact that the EFF is getting involved is definitely heartening, and
   they may end up providing some legal relief for the defendants.

   As far as what it means to us for now, I'm not sure.  I'd definitely
   say that people should be careful about what they say online.  Or if
   you have negative comments, they should be substantiated with fact
   instead of just saying 'this nursery stinks.'  The biggest problem that
   I see with the PetsWarehouse.com issue is the number of people who
   jumped on the bandwagon to slam the supplier without any facts to back
   them up.  If you only relate your personal experiences it's much 
   harder to sue for libel.  Otherwise, what's going to happen to 
   Consumer Reports and other reporting agencies?

   I can only say that I'm committed to the lists and trying to keep it
   safe for people, and I'll do whatever I can to stick up for our rights.
   I don't know if that's worth anything, though.

   Do you think that I should make an announcement to the perennials list
   about this?

Chris

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