Klarinet Archive - Posting 000095.txt from 1996/12

From: CLARK FOBES <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Forwarded messages/ Libel
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 1996 12:52:36 -0500

Peter,

It is really unfortunate that we all have to be SO concerned about
our comments, particularly in an open forum such as this. However I
think that if you send someone a private e-mail your comments in that
context can not be interpreted as libelous. The fact that your
correspondent had the bad manners to forward the e-mail to said
entrepeneur is unfortunate.

The fact of the matter is that if you had negative comments about a

certain mail order co. they SHOULD be aired. As an owner of a business
I am very unhappy if I find out that ANY one I have dealt with is
displeased in some way. And it happens even with the best of
intentions. If this person is so insecure about their particular status
on the NET or any other venue then they need to do something to improve

their position. If you are truly confident of your abilities and your
record then you understand that one negative comment is not going to
bring you down.

I hope that said owner contacted you in order to make things right
rather than harass you with the threat of a law suit.

Clark W Fobes

You wrote:
>
>Klarinetters,
>
>I recently responded to someone's post about a certain large
mail-order
>co. with a private e-mail containing some words of caution about said
>co., based on past personal experience, and private comments made to
me
>by others. I just had the somewhat unpleasant surprise of getting an
>e-mail from the owner of the co., who monitors this list, about my
>comments to the other list member. Seems the guy immediately forwarded

my
>private e-mail on to the company! My understanding of forwarding
someone
>else's personal communications is that you ask their permission first;

in
>these litigous times, it seems only prudent to reward someone's
>confidences with discretion. Comments?
>
>Cheers,
>P
>