The Pizza Kitchen faces social media libel lawsuit
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Updated: 6:58 PM Sep 21, 2009
The Pizza Kitchen faces social media libel lawsuit
The Pizza Kitchen offers fans of its pie a chance to "get social" by interacting with them on Facebook and Twitter. But what they shared about their marketing company could cost them a lot of dough.
Posted: 5:31 PM Sep 21, 2009
Reporter: Sara Shookman
Email Address: sara.shookman@wvlt-tv.com
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Pizza Kitchen offers fans of its pie a chance to "get social" by interacting with them on Facebook and Twitter. But what they shared about their marketing company could cost them a lot of dough.

According to a Knox County Circuit Court filing, owner Travis Redmon posted last month, ""Don't EVER use Lowandtritt marketing firm." The lawsuit says Redmon posted, "Crooks - stolen email list and have tried to pressure me by threat of lawsuit to sign a license agreement to use their marketing materials."

The next day the comments continued on Twitter. "Lowentritt marketing firm has done it again." "Can you believe that they have not only stolen my email list but have no hacked Pizza Kitchen's facebook page taking it offline?"

Low and Tritt filed the lawsuit Sept. 1, charging the Pizza Kitchen with libel.

"The claim is that the posting on the Twitter page that was not accurate about the marketing company," says Pamela Reeves. Reeves is partner of Reeves, Herbert & Murrian P.A., the office representing Low and Tritt in the case.

"It opens up lots of opportunities for defamation," she says. Defamation - where a false comment damages the reputation of an individual or business - depends on the comment being untrue.

"If the statements that are made are accurate statements, you're not defamed. It's simply making an observation that's true," says Reeves. "Obviously our clients feel that that's not the situation here."

Twitter and Facebook have become a great way to sound off online. But it's a reminder that you have an audience.

"Remember you always have the possibility of causing someone serious harm when you make those statements on the web," says Reeves. "Unless you know you're fully protecting yourself, you should be careful what you say."

Volunteer TV contacted Low and Tritt and The Pizza Kitchen. Both companies refused to comment on the pending litigation. The defense has until Oct. 1 to respond to the suit.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Wouldn't Know Location: Knoxville, TN on Nov 24, 2009 at 09:07 AM

I guess some people should learn to keep their big mouths shut when spewing unintelligent nonsense. I hope the owner learns a lesson from this.
Posted by: Brenna Location: Knoxville on Nov 23, 2009 at 10:06 AM

Social Media Club Knoxville's Winter Panel will be discussing this case along with Social Media Liability, Ethics & Policy at the Square Room December 1st. http://smcknox.ning.com/events/smc-knoxville-winter-panel
Posted by: M Bowlus Location: Jacksonville, Florida on Oct 28, 2009 at 11:59 AM

Malicious statements intended to damage the personal and business reputation of the victim, in any medium, should not be tolerated. It is not a statement of opinion to call someone a thief with the intent to cause them harm, knowing it's not true. The use of such a wide spread medium is indicative of the intent to cause that harm. It's not a pay day for the victim. It's an expensive process to seek justice and defend your reputation through the court system. No one undertakes such a case lightly. It exposes you to further ridicule as the defendant uses the suit to further the slander with the same intent and impunity. There are not damages a jury might award that will compensate the victim for the loss of privacy and WWW ridicule he has and will suffer as a result of the statements made by the defendant. It's wrong to lie. It's wrong to lie about other people with the intent to harm them. It's a shame that it takes a jury to make that point clear to some folks. Apologize?