Laser hair remover sues anonymous Google reviewer: Court case of the week
Plaintiff: "MyGentlelase," a Vienna, Va.-based laser hair removal and electrolysis center, and Soraya Nouralian, MyGentlelase owner.
Defendant: A Google Maps commenter with the handle "Devaki," true identity unknown.
You're a star: Twenty people have reviewed Nouralian's Vienna hair removal business on Google Maps, where they have raved about Nouralian's warmth, professionalism, and life-saving hair-removal skills. Each of these reviewers has awarded MyGentlelase a five-star rating—except "Devaki", who gave it only one.
Hair today: Nouralian is now suing Devaki's real-life counterpart, whomever that may be, over the 15-word review accompanying that star: "what a scam: did you notice that Joe's and Sarah's review are exactly the same?"
Devaki left the comment on Sept. 2; as it stands now, MyGentlelase's Google Maps page contains a review by a sarah, but none by a Joe.
According to papers filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, "Doe has posted highly inflammatory, false and disparaging messages about Plaintiff," the lawsuit claims. "Defendant clicked one star in the five-star rating system of Google." Now, "Because of Defendant's disparaging statements, Plaintiff's reputation and good name has been injured."
Relief: MyGentlelase is suing Devaki for libel and tortious interference with a business relationship. The company seeks damages and an injunction against the Google reviewer from posting "defamatory statements about Plaintiff using Google or any other webpage."
3 Comments
Ali Tilave
What publicity? Do you think anyone gives two ****s about the person who wrote this article? Or even the article itself? The only two people are myself and my beautiful mother whom you have discraced. There are many many other things in the world to write about, how about touching someone's life instead of bringing stress into it. She is not suing anyone, who the **** are you guys??? get a life.
Tay James
You can't just go and sue someone using another name or suing on behalf of someone unless you're their attorney. I think that now that this backfired on MyGentlelase they're trying to do damage control. Unfortunately, the bad publicity is out since this public record. I wonder if the defendant could sue back for violation of the First Amendment.
Ali Tilave
There is a lot on the line here so on behalf of MyGentlelase we would like to clarify a few things about this article. This is completely false, Soraya does not have the time, energy, or resources to sue anyone over a few comments posted on Google. This was all fabricated by one of our competitors. Thank you for your continued support and business.
Your official 2 cents
Post a Comment