An unsatisfied customer who left a number of negative online reviews about a B.C. business online has been ordered to pay damages for defaming the company and forcing it to shut down.
The bride went on social media and blasted Amara Weddings —the Richmond-based wedding company that she hired. The company blamed her online attacks for smearing its reputation and driving away customers.
A B.C. Supreme Court judge agreed with company and ordered the woman to pay $115,000 in damages.
“They feel vindicated, I think that’s the key word here,” said lawyer Bernard Lau. “Nobody’s ever really happy when these things happen.”
The judge wrote in his ruling “This case is an example of the dangers of using the internet to publish information without proper regard for its accuracy.”
“[Those] who think it is acceptable to use the internet as a vehicle to vent their frustrations, must be given the message that there will be consequences if their publications are defamatory.”
Those who work in defamation say this is a judgment everyone needs to pay attention to.
“The courts have come down very strongly against people who use the internet to defame, be it Facebook or social media posts or personal blogs,” Daniel Reid from Harper Grey LLP told Global News. “The courts have been very clear that just because it’s online, doesn’t mean it gets special treatment. If it defames someone, the courts have been willing to impose damages.”
The owners of Amara Weddings told Global News in an email that while the judgment is welcomed, it was never the point of this case as salvaging their reputation is much more valuable.