The legality of ranting...

[kblessinggr]

Ok, so I already got a general idea bout places like bestbuysuxs.com paypalsucks, etc etc etc etc. And usually sounds like if you allow public opinions on there then you're pretty much within 1st amendment rights.

But what about a more broad topic, like for example iHateSalesmen.com (not the domain I'm thinking bout, but its a hypothetical domain along the same vien of my thought).

Where basically could rant about someone, they were rude, yada yada, and maybe even have a picture taken at the time of the event (camera phone etc.)

What would be the broad scope of legality revolving around that? Assuming of course you allowed community participation of their own view of their similar events. And assuming that accounts were in public (or in the case of photos, in an area where reasonable expectation of privacy did not exist).

 

[audax]

Targeting a specific person or just a general group of people?

 

[kblessinggr]

Targeting a specific person or just a general group of people?

General groups of people.

Say some asshole cuts you off one day and you just had to rant about it. Though in ranting about that person, that specific post may be directed at that specific person.

 

[allco]

'I Hate Salesmen . com" sounds very harmless as a title for a site or domain - as it's refering to a job position or general character, especially if you are asking people to voice out their "opinions" on experiences they had "in general".

I'd say your website disclaimer is important to state that your website/company is for entertainment purposes only, and you are not liable for others posts and opinions expressed in any way - etc. etc.

As for video taping someone and posting it and demeaning their personal character -- I suppose it's how it is done -- comedy programs and television reporters get a way with it - maybe moreso in a editorial or parody manner. And I suppose if it's in the public domain, it's fine.

but again, research into peoples rights regarding this.

Hating salesmen in general and people cutting you off in traffic is ok -- that's not a specific person.

 

[kblessinggr]

'...
but again, research into peoples rights regarding this.

Hating salesmen in general and people cutting you off in traffic is ok -- that's not a specific person.

Well the domain in question which I haven't developed yet, inspired simply by my wife bitching about other drivers, is iHateOtherDrivers.com she originally wanted a place to actually rant about some snow plow driver that nearly took off her bumper while on the road, and then proceeded to be rather 'verbal' out the window and such, to which he followed her back to the park after taking a pick of him (in order to complain to his supervisor). She mainly wanted a place to rant... and I want a place to stick automotive/insurance affiliate banners and offers on.

And I figured I'd have a stronger case of having a site up if I allowed public participation (after double-op registration of course). But I would plan on having a disclaimer up regarding rights to privacy and whats generally considered against that right, as well as refraining from attacking one's race, etc.

 

[allco]

I'd say your plan is fine. And a good idea - people like to find places to bitch about stuff that happens in life, and making it where users can jump in is perfect

Yeah, the disclaimer is important to state "opinions only" - "entertainment" - and "you not being liable for users opinions expressed etc."

Also, to get a point across but not be so direct, and ultra safe is - say you had a shitty experience with Best Buy. You can say, "Here's what happened to me at that mega store, you know the one, the one with the big yellow price tag and bold black letters" or something like that - that description could be any store really.

 

[kblessinggr]

I'd say your plan is fine. And a good idea - people like to find places to bitch about stuff that happens in life, and making it where users can jump in is perfect

Yeah, the disclaimer is important to state "opinions only" - "entertainment" - and "you not being liable for users opinions expressed etc."

Also, to get a point across but not be so direct, and ultra safe is - say you had a shitty experience with Best Buy. You can say, "Here's what happened to me at that mega store, you know the one, the one with the big yellow price tag and bold black letters" or something like that - that description could be any store really.

So what you think? Wordpress install ?

 

[ArtDeco]

@Karl This is still America . Give 'em hell if you want, especially an entire class of 'em. See my sig.

 

[johu]

Say some asshole cuts you off one day and you just had to rant about it.

And I gave the taxi driver the finger so he decided to abandon his taxi and run after me for a bit... Wow, these St. Louis cab drivers have to learn not to take things personally...

 

[Rage9]

I think the real legality is where you direct the name of the site at someone/some business. Having a site, ihatemegastores.com is much different then ihatewalmart.com as now your singling out another business or person by name.

If you kept it broad and let people post about many kinds of mega stores it would be much easier to defend as your not using some trademarked name inside your domain which would give the business no grounds to really stand on in a lawsuit. What are they going to sue for, generally hurting their feelings?

 

[kblessinggr]

What are they going to sue for, generally hurting their feelings?

Oh you know how some people are, kinda like claiming you have no right to post their picture without their permission, despite they were out in public.

Or how you got some people like this :updown: :
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VM9CiywyTk]YouTube - Crazy fat lady screams about illegal photography![/ame]

But ya, basically someone might rant about some lawyer driving his BWM while talking on a cellphone and weaving in and out of traffic, then trying to claim libel/slander against the site

 

[trigatch4]

The problem you'll get is if someone posts something about a specific person, salesmen, etc... with name/picture that makes them easily identifiable which they also deem to be libelous.

Just cover your ass in TOS and put somewhere in the "contact us" that if people feel they have been unfairly targeted, they can contact you and be removed from the website yada yada yada.

 

[leafyd]

There was a site like this. People were posting PI like plate numbers ect. It ended up with stalking/lawsuits.

 

[kblessinggr]

There was a site like this. People were posting PI like plate numbers ect. It ended up with stalking/lawsuits.

I think being that detailed crosses into the 'excessive' region.