Legal Question in Constitutional Law in California
rights vs. defamation or obstruction of business
Hi! I recently left a company that was unbelievably discriminatory. Tough to prove (they cover themselves), but it was so. They are unethical. Anyway, what they do is this: They work in venues such as baseball stadiums, street fairs, etc, and try to lure folks to come to timeshare presentations with various gifts (vacations, etc) as incentives.
If I paid to gain admission to these venues, can -- without causing a scene or blocking their tables -- simply inform folks who stop and talk to them that they can purchase timeshares USED for pennies on the dollar? (So that they shouldn't purchase them from the company.) Or that numerous people -- when I was an employee -- came to me to complain that they needed to sell their timeshares because the maintenance payments were quadrupled? Or that, from my own experience, the gifts are verrrrry hard to redeem? (That's a fact for everyone, but I'm assuming I can only say my own experience.)
Am I allowed to do that? Or would I be unceremoniously booted from the stadium, possibly arrested and sued. I'm just talking, very peacefully. Telling folks stuff they'd be glad to hear. What are my rights?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: rights vs. defamation or obstruction of business
You probably would not have the same right to speak at a private venue as you would at a public forum. Since your former company probably has a contract with the venue, you could be interfering with their contract and potentially with their economic advantage, among other things. However, if you wanted to leaflet or sandwich-board outside the venue on a public sidewalk, you probably could do that, assuming you do not stray onto private property.
Re: rights vs. defamation or obstruction of business
Look, anybody who buys a timeshare at retail, or from a sales presentation, or at all for that matter, is an idiot. You aren't going to cure idiocy by carrying around a sandwich board, or a grudge. Respectfully suggest you get on with your life.
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