Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Georgia

Defamation on consumer bulletin board

I have a great business run out of our home and we have a website that advertises the business. Recently, we had a positive post on a bulletin board run by a well-known local Atlanta consumer advocate who has a national radio show. I was later shocked to see that another poster, who did not know us or our business, posted two very negative lengthy posts about how our business may be a scam. Because of these posts we recieved several negative calls. After I posted a polite and detailed reply on the board the entire subject disappeared from the board. That was not before finding out the person who made the false comments was a moderator appointed by the radio host or his staff. I further learned that it was the same moderator who deleted the posts and she has a history of this kind of antics. I am not looking for a buck but this has caused me harm to our reputation on a national website. What does it take to file suit to stop this? I would like an apology on the board and not money but now it looks like all traces of the posts are removed and the person who runs the board is the same one who posted the lies. What do I do?


Asked on 9/27/05, 9:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glenn M. Lyon, Esq. MacGREGOR LYON, LLC, Business Attorneys

Re: Defamation on consumer bulletin board

I would recommend speaking with a local attorney right away about a potential libel case against the poster. Some attorneys may take your case on a contingency basis (fees paid by a percentage of recovery), but it depends on the case. On an hourly basis, most attorneys would ask for a retainer of somewhere between $2500 and $7500.

If you would like to discuss any issues further, please feel free to contact my office. My contact information is below. Thank you.

The foregoing is general information only, not specific legal advice. No attorney/client relation has been created or should be implied.

Glenn M. Lyon, Esq

MacGregor Lyon, LLC

Promenade II

1230 Peachtree Street NE

Suite 1900

Atlanta Georgia 30309

Phone 404.942.3545

Fax 404.795.0993

[email protected]

www.macgregorlyon.com

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Answered on 9/28/05, 8:57 am


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