(24-02-2012, 12:12 AM)cyclone Wrote: [ -> ]I'm not legally trained. I'd like to ask legal sifu here if the statements like :
"ABC has done it again."
(Nothing wrong at all . Just an exclamation of something has been repeated again and again. If this happen for the first time then maybe the writter can be blamed for exageration )
"I think its disclosure policy is questionable"
( The company need to improve on its IR . )
"XYZ is too proud to listen to suggestions." ( Is proud an insulting word that will damage a person reputation ? If yes I think many repoters or press would had been sued for criticising some of our leaders for being too arrogant .)
"XYZ is seriously too rich, too successful for shareholders good."
( Nothing insulting also , just general opinion of a person . Doubt this will damage the reputation of the person . )
"So much for being a listed company that is really more a pte ltd."
( This is very common statement especially many family memders are in the company, the truth hurts )
Are those statements are defamatory ?
Please enlighten. If those really are. Forumers have to avoid those statements or you'll be charged with defamation. 
If this kind of comments will result to law suits , I think we need to have more courts, lawyers and judges .
(Admin Sir , this is just my personal opinion, if someone issue legal letter threaten to sue, please just delete all my posts because I am a small time investor , cannot afford legal costs, also I have other better thing to do . Thanks in advance)
Suggestion : Why don't just delete that thread and announce ban discussion of any direct relation to that company concern in forum thread starter knowledge base or notices.
Intent is to Cut VB from that Company effectively from gaining from the site sharing of them nor they will be impacted by forummers comments. Save us and that company from agony.
Big bully small, rich bully poor. Disgusting !
I don't thinking locking the thread just cause they sent a lawyers' notice is right, probably warn forummers to be a little bit more sensitive about their comments. This is an investors' forum, there are people here with shares in the many companies that have a thread in VB, and I'm sure everybody loves to hear the opinion of another to have a better idea of the company.
Sooo, I think we should all just watch ourselves and not be quick to insult/defame whoever.
(24-02-2012, 12:12 AM)cyclone Wrote: [ -> ]I'm not legally trained. I'd like to ask legal sifu here if the statements like :
"ABC has done it again."
=> if this is just expression of a fact, then i don't see anything wrong with it. the statement only states action and there's nothing defamatory about it.
"I think its disclosure policy is questionable"
=> the usage of the word "think" is an opinion and not a statement. basic human rights of freedom of expression. but if it is mentioned as a statement, there is the connotation of assertion which lead people to believe it as a fact and can thus lead to defamation.
"XYZ is too proud to listen to suggestions."
=> this is sounding more like a statement, but i think while proud may have negative connotations depending on how it is used, should not be able to amount to defamation.
"XYZ is seriously too rich, too successful for shareholders good."
=> similar to above.
"So much for being a listed company that is really more a pte ltd."
=> this could be hard to pull off as defamation. misconstrued fact but is used in comparison and comes across more as opinion.
Are those statements are defamatory ? Please enlighten. If those really are. Forumers have to avoid those statements or you'll be charged with defamation.
anyway i think that for defamation to present itself as a case, it has to be that the majority of the people on reading/hearing will form the wrong opinion. therefore, something that is merely plausible should not constitute to defamation.
Some say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Perhaps, VB is being taken seriously enough in the investment community that this becomes "litigation is the sincerest form of flattery."
The Law Society of Singapore has a pro bono legal service for non-profit organisations and social enterprises in Singapore with an objective to meet community concerns or needs. If VB can qualify under this (since VB is non-profit and meets the needs of the investing community), perhaps a 30 minutes session can be booked with them to get advice on cyclone's questions below?
http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/probono/COLC.aspx
(24-02-2012, 12:12 AM)cyclone Wrote: [ -> ]I'm not legally trained. I'd like to ask legal sifu here if the statements like :
"ABC has done it again."
"I think its disclosure policy is questionable"
"XYZ is too proud to listen to suggestions."
"XYZ is seriously too rich, too successful for shareholders good."
"So much for being a listed company that is really more a pte ltd."
Are those statements are defamatory ? Please enlighten. If those really are. Forumers have to avoid those statements or you'll be charged with defamation.
Posts had been deleted but closing of the thread may send wrong signal to future potential threats.
(24-02-2012, 05:09 PM)cfa Wrote: [ -> ]Posts had been deleted but closing of the thread may send wrong signal to future potential threats.
The thread will be reopened once the suspended users have been restored.
ok, let go to the law society for free-help?
I think my earlier may have been misunderstood. The intent is not to simply comply to the order.
If a company is not very open to comments, VB can stop allowing that counter be discussed or covered forever, not just that thread. This will indirectly protect forummers from giving unwelcome comments and also not expose them to such companies thus helping investors from being induced to invest in that counter that has been viewed negatively and not welcome by their management.
If you receive more letter from other companies, ban that counter concern. You can assess the situation again if is not practical. But I doubt you will have that many letters.