tapmag

Yes, you’ve got to be careful what to post on social networks. But this current case takes it up a notch.

Apparently, a guy named Michael mentioned in a respond to a friend’s Facebook status message that he’d had “veeery bad experiences” with a certain video production company, and advised other to stay aways from them.

A couple of days later, a lawyer for said company contacts him with a cease and desist letter, demanding a correction of his status, a written statement saying he will refrain from spreading any such “credit-damaging statements” in the future, and € 720 for the lawyers services. Read more on the story and its background here.

Now, I have to wonder – what ever happened to free speech? Obviously, Michael was expressing an opinion, not a factual statement. The story is now spreading online, for example here and here. I really wonder when companies will finally realize that slamming people with attorney statements and damage payments gets them absolutely nowhere. Or, as a commentator puts it:

“gee, these companies, always the same – they’re stuck in the old times. Hey, if you threaten someone with a lawsuit these days, you’ve already lost.”

Unfortunately, there’s lots of money to be made in making unsuspecting citizens pay “damages” for their statements (rapper Bushido knows that, too). In this age of rapid communication, a simple email seems to be asking to much from some people. They’d rather bring out the “guns” right away.

Oh, and just to be clear: this is an expression of opinion, so keep your lawyers at bay.