Intellectual Property Law

Video Professor Finds Way to Highlight On-line Criticism

By Tim Feathers

You know the Video Professor - he's the guy on those infomercials that urges you to buy his computer education programs by trying them for free.  The company even encourages consumers to search for reviews online before buying.  Problem is, lots of consumers are complaining online that they were mislead as to the "free" part, or are otherwise unhappy with the product.  Perhaps in an effort to draw more attention to the negative reviews, the Video Professor has taken to suing the bastards who are saying these bad things. 

Do you suppose the Prof. is aware of the Streisand Effect?  Or the likelihood of succeeding in stifling anonymous criticism in light of the First Amendment rights involved and other available defenses?  In any event, right or wrong, the online world does not like bullies, and the backlash has begun (see below).

On a practical note, these links provide a good tutorial and resources (including forms) for those involved, or considering getting involved, in litigation to identify anonymous internet posters.

Video Professor sues anonymous griping posters, demands their identities

Video Professor Sues Anonymous Critics

Politicians, infomercial kings try to stifle anonymous Internet speech

Letter from Public Citizen Litigation Group

The Video Professor Sues His Unnamed Critics

-Photo courtesy of Llyod Doppler under Creative Commons

Full post as published by The TechKnowledgy Blog on September 24, 2007 (boomark / email).