(May. 11, 2009) On April 23, 2009, a federal district court in the southern Russian province of Dagestan issued an unprecedented ruling, ordering a journalist of a local newspaper to pay compensation in an amount equal to US$1,000 to a writer who did not like a review of his book published in the newspaper. The plaintiff, an author whose work of fiction was reviewed in the publication's book review section, sued the reviewer, claiming that the author and his family had experienced severe mental suffering and that his professional reputation was damaged as a result of the review. The writer stated that after reading the book review, he experienced chest pains, headache, and elevated blood pressure. He demanded to be compensated in the amount of US$150,000. Both parties were dissatisfied with the court ruling and expressed their intention to appeal.
Observers have commented that this judgment creates a very dangerous precedent, opening the way for lawsuits based on subjective opinion. Some have even suggested that if a book reviewer can be sued, a reader who did not like a book can sue the author for making a bad quality product. (Oleg Fochkin, Sud Zapretil Sudit o Knigah [Court Banned Book Reviews], MOSKOVSKII KOMSOMOLETS, Apr. 24, 2009,
Follow this link to find out more -
http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_1279_text
This is just simply unbelievable..
19 Speak To Me:
Yikes! *hides under a stone*
Umm, wow! I guess the US isn't the only sue-happy country, eh?
Blodeuedd..
This is hide under a mountain, a big one at that...
Can you believe it..
E.H>
Hey Amy...
There is suing and there is suing, but this is just too much..
E.H>
That ain't stopping me from saying my opinion of a book! And here in my country I'm sure they don't sue about stuff like that :) so I'm presuming I'm safe ;)
But this is so annoying.. "experienced severe mental suffering" my a$$ !! Sorry I just had to say it :)
Hey Ms. D..
I totally agree with, what about the mental anguish and mental suffering that we the reader have from some of these books...
I do feel as strongly about it as you do...
What will these people come up with next - i fear it..
E.H>
Totally ridiculous. No review has ever caused me more 'mental suffering' than a little chocolate could resolve... LOL
Interesting and odd, EH. Thanks for keeping us informed!
Yeah and the time wasted suffering through the book!!
"What will these people come up with next - i fear it.." so true.. it's scary!!
Um, yeah, that's pretty ridiculous
Wow, that's ridiculous!!!
I'm sitting here just shaking my head, it's a total WTF moment.
Jamie...
Glad to hear that hon.. This is like "What will they think of next"
E.H>
Ms. D...
Been there and done that and am still going on ..
so What the hell..
E.H>
Shawn...
We live and we learn.. everyday..
E.H>
Lily...
As soon as I saw it, that was my reaction.
E.H>
Okay... can you WTH!!!! I can NOT believe that... I mean really! Come'on! What next.... sue because Hersery Chocolate factory because all the chocolate I have eaten has made my a$$ get big... OMG!!!
**putting on her crime fighter superhero suit on** and persuing justice!!
And PS... thanks for everything!!!!
This is some kinda crazy! I guess "mums" the word in Russia, if your a book reviewer. So happy to live in a country where I won't get sued for writing a book review. Yet.
Totally agree with you Cecile...
We sue for everything else, but not the freedom of choice..
E.H>
Hey Fantasy Dreamer...
I will have to keep an eye on this. You never know when these things take off.
E.H>
Post a comment