French Blogger Fined For Negative Restaurant Review 424
An anonymous reader sends an article about another case in which a business who received a negative review online decided to retaliate with legal complaints. In August of last year, a French food blogger posted a review of an Italian restaurant called Il Giardino. The restaurant owners responded with legal threats based on the claim that they lost business from search results which included the review. The blogger deleted the post, but that wasn't enough. She was brought to court, and a fine of €1,500 ($2,040) was imposed. She also had to pay court costs, which added another €1,000 ($1,360). The blogger said, "Recently several writers in France were sentenced in similar proceedings for defamation, invasion of privacy, and so on. ... I don't see the point of criticism if it's only positive. It's clear that online, people are suspicious of places that only get positive reviews."
I wanted to write about this place (Score:5, Funny)
But my mom said "if you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all". And it seems the courts agree with her.
So I want to stress that the road in front of their entrance is really tidy.
Re:Only post POSITIVE reviews... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Barbara Streisand award (Score:5, Funny)
Agreed, I was totally planning to take a plane to France to go dine in that restaurant, but now they've lost my business.
Re:Livin' in the USA (Score:3, Funny)
But as a down side you do get to eat in American "Restaurants"
My advice to her (Score:5, Funny)
Don't write a court review.
Re:Barbara Streisand award (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Barbara Streisand award (Score:3, Funny)
What you can do is write a review that is so incredible positive, that the irony is so obvious that nobody will miss it.
What an astonishingly good idea! Timely, witty and absolutely certain to ensure everyone who attends the offending restaurant will have a great experience. Problem completely solved right here!
I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and insist that every Slashdotter also thank you, preferably with their precious moderation points.
Well done!
Re:Barbara Streisand award (Score:5, Funny)
"Other then the terrible food, unexceptional wine list, rude and incompetent service, shocking prices, and unsanitary kitchen, this restaurant is without doubt the best place of its kind."