Smith Enterprises Lawsuit

**djegators** · 09-05-13, 16:49

Perhaps this thread is inappropriate, if I so please delete, and accept my apologies.

Smith Enterprises posted this just recently on facebook:

Smith Enterprise
As you may have heard, SEI has chosen to defend its reputation and is taking legal action against Dr. Hammonds, a gentleman who made multiple disparaging and false statements about our company over the past several months on multiple forums. In many cases we give people the benefit of the doubt, but when an individual states that our products are not well-made, it strikes at the heart of the SEI business model – to make quality products to very high standards. SEI takes great pride in its craftsmanship, as many customers have noticed. Nevertheless, we gave Dr. Hammonds multiple chances to retract his false statements about our products and he refused. Reluctantly, after much consideration, we are turning this matter over to the courts.

It is important to note that Dr. Hammonds is not our customer. He has never bought anything from SEI directly. SEI loves its customers and anyone who deals with us knows we put customers first. If you see anyone saying anything about SEI that sheds a negative light, we ask our loyal customers to come to our defense and set the record straight. We now leave this matter up to the court. Thank you for the understanding.

Now, I am not familiar with the beef between Hammond and SEI, but seems to me that a lawsuit over internet forum ramblings will not end well for Smith.

**Voodoochild** · 09-05-13, 19:27

It depends on what he said to be honest. If he is knowingly slandering the company then game on. Especially if he has no valid proof of his claims. What kind of evidence does he have and how did he arrive at that conclusion.

If your are going to talk bad about a company online be prepared to provide proof.

**Kokopelli** · 09-05-13, 19:38

It's a lose-lose deal.. But.. everybody has their limits..

**HackerF15E** · 09-05-13, 20:30

Here's a link to the complaint filed by SEI, as well as the thread from the M14 forum where it is discussed.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0Xy.../view?sle=true

http://m14forum.com/m14/145566-i-nee...uit-today.html

Pretty good photos of one of SEI's receivers, with -- how do they say it -- "quality cannot be beat".

http://www.smithenterprisesucks.com/

**djegators** · 09-05-13, 20:37

Will be interesting to follow. Like I said, I don't much about the case, but from what I have read on the m14 forum, practically everyone is rallying against SEI. If that forum is any indication, even if SEI is justified, they may be in for a PR nightmare.

**KTR03** · 09-05-13, 21:11

No dog in this fight. Had a SEI crazy horse rifle in a sage stock. Accurate but heavy and lots of sharp edges.

I read the whole complaint. Basically it comes down to "he said shit he knew or should have known was untrue. We called him on it and he didn't retract it and continued... And he is a competitor so he is harming our business".

Frankly it will be interesting to see if a federal court holds people responsible for stuff they say on the internet that they have no factual basis for that harms another business. Also when is "opinion" actionable?