Monday, May 18, 2009
Author's Revenge--Lawsuit for a Bad Review
The Global Legal Monitor, an online publication of the Law Library of Congress, ran a short article recently about a lawsuit against a book reviewer in the southern Russian province of Dagestan. Seems the disgruntled author took none too kindly to the negative review, claiming that he had "experienced severe mental suffering and that his professional reputation was damaged." After reading the review he "experienced chest pains, headache, and elevated blood pressure" and demanded to be compensated to the tune of $150,000. The judge ruled in the plaintiffs's favor, ordering the defendant to pay him the equivalent of $1000. Both parties are planning an appeal.
The rest of the article can be read here.
Some precedent. Imagine that happening in this country. I can envision instant heart attacks for many an annoyed author. Like the old man from Sanford and Son, we'll all clutch our hearts and stagger. "It's the big one comin'!"
I'm perfecting my technique already.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Now there's a thought. Publishers Weekly hated my ABNA entry.
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see it happen here.
No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions anymore. If you submit your manscript to someone asking for their opinion, don't be surprised when they give it. Yeah, there are nice ways to tell someone that you didn't like their work but if you are that easily offended you may want to look for another career. Not everyone is going to like everything you write. Yes, it is quite disheartening & stressful when someone criticizes anything in your life, much less something you have dedicated much time, emotion, & effort into but that is a part of life. It is probably just a matter of time before it happens here.
Post a Comment