|
|
November 11, 2004
A federal judge in San Francisco has dismissed a suit filed by Sharper Image against Consumers Union taking issue with a negative review of the Ionic Breeze Quadra Air Purifier, Sharper Image's best-selling product.
Sharper Image alleged that the articles in Consumer Reports magazine were based on bad test procedures and amounted to negligent product disparagement. Consumers Union responded with a motion under California law prohibiting frivolous First Amendment litigation.
U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney granted the motion, commonly called an anti-SLAPP -- strategic lawsuit against public participation -- suit.
The judge said Sharper Image had not shown that it had a reasonable probability of proving the magazine's claims were false.
"Hopefully, going forward, companies will think twice about filing these types of suits. It's not in their interest to be attacking free speech," Steven Williams, the attorney who argued the anti-SLAPP motion, said.
The company has not said whether it will appeal.
Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.
|
July 6 2008
|
FREE CONSUMER NEWSLETTERS
The Daily Consumer
Afternoons M-F
Sign up now!
Consumer News & Alerts
Every Sunday
Sign up now!
Knowledge is free.
Knowledge is power.
|
|
|
• 
• 
