A sad day indeed

[SteveandViv]

SteveandViv,
I do agree that is the core reason this board exists.

The title of this sub forum says General Discussion, feel free to talk about anything and everything in this board.

I reckon this topic fits within that - just 

Tjupurula,
Mate, as you say, that is how you would handle it and I fully respect that.  This post is how I am handling it.  Just a general discussion on issues that may or may not be related to something that may or may not have occurred recently or in the past.  I just wanted to express my views on how I interpret certain situations and to try and educate ALL service providers, product driven companies and anyone else who may try and sell "stuff" within both the camper trailer space (thus a post on this board) and any consumer space generally, that in this day and age, people like me will not have their voice artificially silenced through threats of legal action.  I do have a voice, I can have some influence -as can everyone with the Internet theses days - and that can be used to support, or otherwise, companies which choose to engage in these tactics.
 
As you can tell I am pretty passionate about certain things and freedom of speech is one of them.  You should have seen me writing letters to PM's and Senators when Julia Gillard wanted to stop free speech within the media and any criticism of her govt.  I went off like a frog in a sock.  But "we" the people had a win and she was put in her place.  This is Australia, not Nazi Germany or Communist Russia in the 1980's.

One of the things I love about this board is people are generally respectful and even if someone does not agree they can still agree to disagree.  If I have crossed a line I am sure Brett or the other mods will let me know in no uncertain terms and will lock or delete this thread as appropriate.  I know that at least Snow and Teabag (who both also know who I am so there is no hiding in internet anonymity for me) are both watching this closely to make sure no lines are crossed.

Respectfully,
CB

Yea, your right and I didn't know of the other thread started by Brett so I just thought it was bit heavy but I understand why.

Nothing to see here - moving along as NBD suggested

[Kit_e_kat9]

WOW!        And after reading that ... 

I'm so glad that my favourite CT maker has an A1, You better Believe it's a Wonderful Product, Good Stuff, Aren't they Just The Best,  , CT Maker in This Very Lucky Country ... my wordy ... yes they are!

Bet I'll never get myself in trouble with them for sure!

Kit_e   

P.S.  Didn't mention them at all did I?   

[Bird]

This is the wrong place for this IMO. This is Myswag, camping and adventure at travel.  I worry for this site now. Over the last Month it has changed.

This is my opinion and that is that.

agree.
how many of these threads are there going to be.. since voldemort happened.

[nbd73]

agree.
how many of these threads are there going to be.. since voldemort happened.

Yeah, I agree too, but then we are actively involved/bantering in a thread about sport> tie in to camping being....?
So, can hardly can the non camping nature of one thread whilst being part of another that's just as off beat. Wow, that would be hypocritical of us wouldn't it?

[scrubber]

Be careful not to take this thread where it shouldn't folks or it will get zapped.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=31568.0

Its not just myswag with this issue ....... http://pcoa.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8860

[Squalo]

Its not just myswag with this issue ....... http://pcoa.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8860

Good... the more forums this stuff appears on, the better informed people can be. I certainly wouldn't buy anything from a company that squashes open discussion about their product.

[DannyG]

Good... the more forums this stuff appears on, the better informed people can be. I certainly wouldn't buy anything from a company that squashes open discussion about their product.

I agree. They are only harming themselves with this approach IMHO.

[Redback]

They're on Facebook now

Baz.

[Coiled]

Its not just myswag with this issue ....... http://pcoa.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8860

I know I am new to the forum & CT camping and don't come here to cause others grief moreso to learn and help where I can. Forums/websites such as this are where people come for advice and guidance and to think the truth can be hushed is saddening. (I just hope that I have made the right decision with my purchase!)

I think the best course of action is to make legal notices such as this very visible on websites and as a sticky at the top of forums. It alerts the unaware to an issue and allows them to invesigate outside the online domain or through a PM etc. Start a thread to include all threats of legal action!

[BigJules]

Just because they have threatened us here doesn't stop you posting on their FB page.
#pr1cks

[berlitza]

Funny reading there fb page and how they justified the legal letters to the forums, all of there competitors have combined are out to get them  lol ,,,, ohhhhhh jeeeeeessshhhhhh

[Pete_R]

Seems AULRO took a different approach:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/1968739-post153.html

[alnjan]

Good on 'em, stick it back to them. 

It is only the alleged defamatory comment they can ask to be removed not the whole thread.  Make them state what is defamatory and remove those comments only.

Interesting to see what happens.

[BigJules]

I want to take it to them, this is pure intimidation.

[Pete_R]

4 x 4 Earth had the same letter back in Sept 2012. They did the same as MySwag & PCoA

[crackacoldie]

Seems AULRO took a different approach:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/1968739-post153.html

Great stuff!

[Brucer]

Whereas I once would have recommended said product as a good fit in certain circumstances, I would never support a company that spends money silencing its critics rather than actually addressing the issues. There are many many manufacturers and suppliers routinely mentioned in this forum who have nothing to fear in honest and open discussion of their products and service (even if some are occasionally negative). This speaks for itself.
I too will go out of my way to alert my fellow campers to the tactics referred to in this thread.

[edz]

Make them spend time and money trawling every forum and thread /posted, then have to go to the cost of getting the legals to respond to each they think is defaming them ..thats if they fit the requirements in the first instance ..... Dont think their pockets would be that deep, need #5 cheque book for that ..

[Brucer]

I think the best course of action is to make legal notices such as this very visible on websites and as a sticky at the top of forums. It alerts the unaware to an issue and allows them to invesigate outside the online domain or through a PM etc. Start a thread to include all threats of legal action!

Agreed. I would go so far as to change the topic to be more reflective of its contents, as to invite the curious reader and appear in searches.

[McGirr]

GOOD INDEPTH CHATTING

That's how I see it 

Mark

[BigJules]

I think the best course of action is to make legal notices such as this very visible on websites and as a sticky at the top of forums. It alerts the unaware to an issue and allows them to invesigate outside the online domain or through a PM etc. Start a thread to include all threats of legal action!

We have done this.

[Squalo]

Seems AULRO took a different approach:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/1968739-post153.html

I like that. You need to have the time to play that game though. But it certainly returns the ball to the onerous partys court.

[crackacoldie]

Just because they have threatened us here doesn't stop you posting on their FB page.
#pr1cks

Apparently it does, as I have just been telephoned regarding a question I placed on their FB page.

[SambOz]

Of course, nothing is defamatory if it is in fact TRUE !!!

If posts are based on fact, its the makers problem and threats from law firms of defamation action are really just thinly disguised intimidation.

Makers might take action at the risk of the 'alleged defamation' being proved to be factual, I wonder if that's the sort of publicity they want ?

Freedom of speech in Australia ? - maybe once but being eroded in recent decades.

[D4D]

Seems AULRO took a different approach:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/1968739-post153.html

Love it!