I broke none of the forum rules. The rule you might think I broke was defamation. However I did not defame anyone:
*It is critical that businesses understand that simply because information is negative, and even injurious, that statement may not be defamatory. The posting itself would not be a “permitted form of defamation” since if it is found to be defamatory, it would not be permitted. The question is really whether or not the statement is defamatory. Defamation law is almost always analyzed in accordance with First Amendment law. Just as a business or person has protections under the law from being defamed, so too does the speaker have a First Amendment right to speak about his experiences.
The balance therefore comes from an analysis of the speech itself. Again, the negative nature of the statement is not itself conclusive. Rather, for a defamation claim to exist, the speech must not only be damaging, but it also must be false. Thus, if the customer reports a bad encounter, but he is truthful in his recitation of the history, there is likely no claim for defamation. Similarly, opinions are protected. If a customer simply indicates that he does not like the business owner or did not like the business’s products or services, that is arguably an opinion and therefore, is not a statement that is capable of being false. It therefore cannot be defamatory. The customer has a First Amendment right to share his opinions and experiences.
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http://www.internetdefamationlawblo...r-reviews-a-form-of-permitted-defamation.html
Can I have my thread back please? I understand you're just looking out for the forum, but really that was just an account of my experience, no need to jump the gun
