Judge rules against Michigan retailer over critical online review

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer posted an online review at RipoffReport . com when the product Mr. Palmer ordered for his wife never arrived. But then they were threatened by the Michigan manufacturer.

 From the Article:

Michigan-based KlearGear.com told the Palmers in 2012 that they had 72 hours to remove the negative review or pay $3,500 because they violated a “non-disparagement clause” in its terms of use with customers, the lawsuit said.

The couple refused, saying the clause was not in effect when the items were purchased and the terms violated the First Amendment. They also note RipoffReport.com has a policy of not removing posted reviews.

 The retailer then reported the Palmers to a credit reporting agency for their "failure to pay" which resulted in credit difficulties for the couple.

Judge Benson, in his order, said the retailer is liable to the Palmers for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Name mix-up on reality show leads to West Michigan man's lawsuit.

Todd Keith. Keith Todd. Producers of a reality show on MSNBC mixed up a name, and now they are facing a lawsuit.

Article here. 

From the article:

The video was featured on a national reality TV show, but there was a problem: Keith Todd, a construction worker from western Michigan, was identified instead of the perpetrator's name, Todd Keith.

Todd's uncle had been watching “Caught on Camera: Dash Cam Diaries” on MSNBC when he saw Todd’s name and face connected to the perpetrator, identified as a habitual criminal.
Misery ensued, as outlined in a lawsuit that Todd, 32, of Wyoming filed in April against NBC Universal, the Eastpointe Police Department and A One Limousine. Public humiliation, crying spells, loss of employment income and more are described in the complaint filed in Wayne County Circuit Court.

Ionia Newspaper editor sued for defamatory statements and lost - other side wants sanctions

An Ionia newspaper editor lost a defamation lawsuit yesterday. But the defendants' attorney fees don't have to be paid by the losing editor, the judge ruled.

Article here.

The editor sued letter writers accusing her of "yellow journalism," and criticized her in letters to supervisors and online.