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eBay Buyer Feedback Alleged to be Libelous
The online retailer eBay provides its users with a feedback mechanism that allows them to post comments about buyers. Using this feature, a British eBay buyer recently posted a negative review of a seller over a cellular telephone he purchased using the eBay platform. When the buyer received the phone, it was the wrong model and it was chipped. This information got posted as feedback about the seller, who then demanded that the buyer remove the comment or face court action.
The seller claims that the negative comment has damaged his business. In addition, the seller argues that the posting should be removed since he returned the buyer’s money. The buyer has indicated he is willing to go to court to fight for his right to comment.
While this particular lawsuit seems doomed to fail based on the fact that the review seemed to be both factual and true, it serves as a cautionary tale to the many Internet users that post feedback about businesses on the Internet. It should be noted that eBay has a feedback dispute resolution mechanism that was not resorted to in this case.
For additional information, visit:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5009293.ece