By criticizing a company or using their logo in my Blog, do I risk?

[italiandragon]

Hello, I`d appreciate any opinion on what I can and what I can`t write on my Blog.

For example, many of us write on a forum bad reviews as customers but what does happen when I write it on my Blog?

am I liable?

I`d appreciate if any lawyer or very expert person in the legal stuff could have a look at these 2 pages of my Blog and tell me if I have to delete anything:

http://italiandragon.com/?p=25

http://italiandragon.com/?p=15


is using their logo for the news regarding them, an infringment of their TM ?

Thank you

 

[Peter]

Writing bad reviews will not get you in trouble as long as you keep it factual and honest. If you exaggerate or make false claims then your comments are libellous.

I am not sure about using a companies logo on your site but I would be weary of doing so especially if you are writing a bad review.

I personally would remove the company logo's from your blog posts. I would also double check where you stand on reproducing email messages. Do they have a message at the bottom of the email stating anything regarding privacy. I am not sure how legally binding a footer like that is but best in a sense to act cautiously.

 

[italiandragon]

Writing bad reviews will not get you in trouble as long as you keep it factual and honest. If you exaggerate or make false claims then your comments are libellous.

I am not sure about using a companies logo on your site but I would be weary of doing so especially if you are writing a bad review.

I personally would remove the company logo's from your blog posts. I would also double check where you stand on reproducing email messages. Do they have a message at the bottom of the email stating anything regarding privacy. I am not sure how legally binding a footer like that is but best in a sense to act cautiously.

uhm...then you know what, I`ll simply delete those 2 articles , I don`t want to get in troubles since I don`t have a lawyer.

That`s what they write at the bottom of the e-mail:

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

 

[Peter]

I wouldn't necessarily delete them. Instead of posting the emails why not link to somewhere where they posted the same information. If I remember correctly much of what they said in the email was also posted by them here.

 

[italiandragon]

I wouldn't necessarily delete them. Instead of posting the emails why not link to somewhere where they posted the same information. If I remember correctly much of what they said in the email was also posted by them here.

good idea...problem is that I copyed their e-mails everywhere they wrote so maybe this time I`ll just cut some parts.

Thanks

 

[Ronald Regging]

I'm not sure any disclaimer in an email like that can be considered legally binding, since you didn't agree to the terms prior to receiving it. You had to physically open the email and then read the whole thing BEFORE even getting to the disclaimer...

And I think there have been numerous legal cases where it has been stated that there is no expectation of privacy when sending someone an email.

Regardless... The simple answer is this... As long as your claims are factual or of an "opinion" nature, then you should be fine. Most companies should realize that if they go after someone legally for posting a negative review, the resulting public outcry and bad press from this action will be far worse for their image than a negative review

 

[italiandragon]

I'm not sure any disclaimer in an email like that can be considered legally binding, since you didn't agree to the terms prior to receiving it. You had to physically open the email and then read the whole thing BEFORE even getting to the disclaimer...

And I think there have been numerous legal cases where it has been stated that there is no expectation of privacy when sending someone an email.

Regardless... The simple answer is this... As long as your claims are factual or of an "opinion" nature, then you should be fine. Most companies should realize that if they go after someone legally for posting a negative review, the resulting public outcry and bad press from this action will be far worse for their image than a negative review

thanks Ronald, but this time I think 1 was enought so I deleted the second one and removed their logos.

I just don`t want troubles.

Thanks

 

[-MGS-]

A question about this, i am unsure about the law etc but would you not be protected under journalists law?

As long as what you say is true and honest?

-Dan

 

[italiandragon]

A question about this, i am unsure about the law etc but would you not be protected under journalists law?

As long as what you say is true and honest?

-Dan

I don`t know, but I`m not a journalist.

 

[Peter]

A question about this, i am unsure about the law etc but would you not be protected under journalists law?

As long as what you say is true and honest?

-Dan

Journalists can still get sued. If a journalist is found to be lying or not to have checked their sources properly they can be in serious trouble.

Here in the UK they would first have to explain to the press complaints commission on why they were so inaccurate then they would have to answer to a judge when the individual took them to court.