RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Isn't libel for the protection of people not products. I don't really intend to say anything nasty about people. Aren't we talking about products here? Can you libel a product?


On the nobody pays attention stuff I was just being cheeky, though there is an element of truth to it in the sense that sure people read this stuff and respond, and if you can find any opinions that are in agreement you might well be lucky, so what is the net effect of any of this stuff?

I don't know who the most prominent person on this BBS is, but whoever it is their opinion doesn't mean %^&* to me. I couldn't pick them out of a line-up, I don't know what their agenda is, I don't have any way of knowing when they are telling the truth or not. This whole thing from my end is just a product of making up my own mind, as I hope it is for the rest of you. So if anything that influences me has to go through my own filters first how does anything said make a difference? I hope what makes it through the filters is the truth, and how is that actionable?

Don't get me wrong I have learned a lot, and I have liked a lot of the posters etc... But it isn't like we are all syndicated collumnists with big national reputations... Its actualy a lot more interesting than that.

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

This is not ment to anger anyone. But why are people so foolish these day's. Lazy enough to sit on their A** and have just enough energy to sue someone they don't even know. Can they find nothing better to do besides make other's miserable. I report is a report is a report, ment to be taken lightly. People talk about freedom of this and freedom of that, then they put the sheeps clothing on and follow the flock. Why? because they can't find out for themselves if something is good or not, if it will suit them or not, I think it was davidmill that said it, but Im not sure, young lazy SO*******. It's true, why work, when you can get spoon fed crap until your old and dead . I am lazy myself alot, but I will say it as a hypocrite that beleives in work ethic, people have to stop the law suit's and get off their butts and learn about life. You can take someone's opinion, you can learn from it or disregard it, if it hold's no value in your life. But personally Frank, your an honest person, with good ethic's, you tell it how it is, and we repect you for it. If you say something about a product that you liked or disliked, we can read into it as much as we like, or disregard it and look for ourself. If someone want's to sue you, then the better sue us all. Ohh they wouldn't stand a chance in court. Good shooting all, and sorry if I got carried away.
Dylan

>>>>--------o-->

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Thanks for the honest and sincere replies folks. I appreciate them. I had no idea that this topic would generate so many passionate responses when I initially posted it. I thought I might get 3 or 4 responses and that is about it.

This issue has touched somewhat of a sore spot for me now.......because it would be rather hypocritical for a bow company to sue anyone over their honest opinion when half them &quot;fudge&quot; their advertised IBO speeds..<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

I have to agree with the &quot;freedom of speech&quot; approach, but unfortunately this approach doesn't always work with todays' society, and in some instances can cost us alot of money and grief. (which is admittedly sad[:() What with everyone being so &quot;sue-happy&quot; over every little thing,(over $20,000 in retainer fees, days lost in court, and misc. costs myself, all over something so ludicrous it'd make your head spin) and with the line being as fine as it is between things, I firmly believe that we have to take a closer look at issues such as these. Yeah it's nice to run around screaming you're an American, and that as one you WILL say whatever you want whenever, but that attitude quickly becomes humbled when the checkbook gets drained, I don't care who you are or where you are from. I originally mentioned this to Frank as a &quot;heads-up&quot;, as I see where it COULD possibly lead to trouble for him and others should they happen to get misinterpreted. Nothing more than that. If everyone feels they are safe, go for it, maybe if we had some serious legal consultant that could clarify this issue, I might even get into posting some of my &quot;full reports&quot; too! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Anyway, it's a great place to mingle and share info, and I hope it stays that way. Good shooting, Pinwheel 12

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

A golf board I visit is frequented by several lawyers. I posted the following message there:

The only other forum I visit on the web is archery related. Some very technical oriented folks there doing honest equipment evaluations, like we do here with golf stuff. The folks doing the evaluating are not being paid to do so, not hosts of the site, but rather are just individuals like you and me that are equipment nuts, like to try new things and share their thoughts...

There is a discussion now going on there as some feel that a person purchasing a bow, evaluating it, then posting their opinion could be sued by the manufacturer for
doing so. What's the law say?

I'll post the responses soon...

Thought I should add- If someone there doesn't like a product, it gets hammered, nothing is held back. To date the issue we're discussing here has never been a problem, and we have the ear of many, many top execs in the golf world...

Edited by - Rangeball on 02/28/2002 09:02:07

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Hi Matt, I merely mentioned Bowtech because that was the bow being reported on. When people offer their observations, unless malice can be proved, there are no grounds. Unfortunately, some courts will entertain friviluos law suits which incure uneeded legal fees. They generally go nowhere, but are a real problem.

Phil.

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Reply #1- Very good link that should set a lot of this to rest...

I don't know too much about that area of the law, but this seems pretty accurate:
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/.../Law/ss17.html

Obviously if someone has a specific concern they should consult an attorney in their
jurisdiction.

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Does anyone think that an archery company or accessory manufacturer is going to sue &quot;the little guy&quot; for writing an internet review of a product?

What kind of P.R. would that send around the net? &quot;The big 'ol company sued Joe Consumer because they didn't like what he wrote about thier product...&quot; How do you think the general archery consumer would view that action?

And I don't think most archery companies are going to spend the time and $$$ to go after some average guy writing a review on the internet.

As long as you're writing an honest review that can be backed up- you have nothing to worry about.

And if writing these critiques DOES catch the attention of the manufacturer- GREAT! That means they may be forced to start listening to the consumer more (I know that some companies already do- but some do NOT). It means that my voice, your voice, whoever's voice, carries some weight in what we think. If someone is way outta line- they usually get called for it by others on the forum.

Edited by - Black Frog on 02/28/2002 09:46:03

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Right on BF. As someone else mentioned earlier, you can sue anyone over anything, well at least once. The real issue is what is the probability of it happening, and what is the probability of winning.

On the first point most archery companies ought to have something better to do with their time.

In the second point, it would be hard to win if the person writing sticks to fact, and is careful to keep opinions sensible and stated as such.

The guys on the golf group aren't going to know squat (just kidding). That has to be the biggest law suit free zone in the world: Judges play golf is one reason I have heard for the low level of suit success. You can be guaranteed of being in a loosing position if you shoot a motorist with your bow and cause a crash. Happens often enough in golf, and so far no convictions from what I last heard.

And 55#, next time you loose over a million dollars in income, and spend the rest of your life disfigured and in pain, we will see were you come out on this issue. Sure changed my read. On the other hand I agree if you were just getting at nuisance suits. The only alternative to real lawsuits is for the victim to pay for the negligence of the negligent party.

RE: "Reports" and legal issues??
 

Thanks for posting the link, Rangeball! It's good to see I rememberd most of what we learned in those communications law classes.