ONLINE unauthorized linking

[QuestN4u]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? FL
Hi, someone linked to our websites in his blog. He did not receive permission from us to link to our websites. How can we legally force him to immediately refrain from linking to our websites? Is there a case we can refer to or a way to tell him that he needs to cease linking immediately? He is linking to our homepages and referring to our company name and products in his online tirades. Thanks for your help!

 

[quincy]

Linking, in and of itself, is not a violation of the law, nor is permission needed for a blog to provide a link to a website.

A website or blogger may also, legally, refer to a company by name and criticize the company and its products. The right to comment and criticize is a protected right under our constitution.

If you are concerned that the comments that are made about your company and its products cross the line from derogatory opinion to defamatory fact, however, have an attorney review the content of the blog.

 

[swalsh411]

Your other option would be to take down your website. I highly doubt you have all that much to offer if you can't take a little criticism and think you can force people not to post links.

 

[TigerD]

The OP could also block incoming requests from that domain. Or he could redirect them to a page that explains his response to the negative comments.

DC