Court Rules for Yelp in Suit over Online Ratings

[TheBeachHouse]

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/2014/09/04/court-rules-for-yelp-suit-over-online-ratings/5pWoNHbj4zukIU62baAzSK/story.html?p1=Topofpage:sub_headline_3

 

[Generic]

What was interesting is that Yelp admitted that it is in their best interest to not do this because if they do, their site won't be trusted.

 

[Copperhead]

Excerpt: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday that even if Yelp did manipulate reviews to penalize businesses, the practice would not constitute extortion.
And: Judge Marsha Berzon wrote for the three-judge panel. ‘‘As Yelp has the right to charge for legitimate advertising services, the threat of economic harm that Yelp leveraged is, at most, hard bargaining.’’
What were they smokin'?
If this is not appealed the word will get out eventually not to bank on what the site rates businesses and just read the reviews. And if we think this ruling is just for Yelp, we need to think again.... TA is reading the news as well.

 

[Arks]

Excerpt: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday that even if Yelp did manipulate reviews to penalize businesses, the practice would not constitute extortion.
And: Judge Marsha Berzon wrote for the three-judge panel. ‘‘As Yelp has the right to charge for legitimate advertising services, the threat of economic harm that Yelp leveraged is, at most, hard bargaining.’’
What were they smokin'?
If this is not appealed the word will get out eventually not to bank on what the site rates businesses and just read the reviews. And if we think this ruling is just for Yelp, we need to think again.... TA is reading the news as well.

.

What were they smokin'?

I thought the same. Unless there's stuff in there we don't know about, it definitely needs to be appealed. On the face of it, it would seem obvious that you can't threaten to hurt someone's business, by lowering their rating, unless they pay you money.

 

[Silverspoon]

What was interesting is that Yelp admitted that it is in their best interest to not do this because if they do, their site won't be trusted..

Yes, well they might admit that it is in their best interest not to let anyone know that they do it....but the threat lives on once the accusation has been made. I think the same thing goes on at TA with their "secret formula" for rank based on ratings and other factors.