Could you go to jail for this?

Heh, everyone's wrong (and right). Since the Internet is a publishing medium like any other, the affected entity could accuse you of slander and take you to court. They could only do this, however, if what you wrote included incorrect, defamatory statements that could not be proved and if you were writing it as fact, not opinion. For an opinion, they could demand a retraction if you were proved incorrect. For incorrect (and/or defamatory) factual statements that affected their reputation or business, they could demand that you pay damages. Of course, all reviews are considered opinion so 99% of the time they can only ask for a retraction or correction of the facts you get wrong. I have no doubt, however, that if you happened to be someone very popular and well-known who caused a big dent in their sales, there may be other consequences. The funny thing is that most people think they're immune on the Internet. They're not. I once wrote a blog entry about the big four bidding sites and commented that my least favourite was Guru (with my reasons). Someone from their CS department actually came by my blog and replied, correcting some things I'd misunderstood and so on.

No you can't go to jail for speaking bad about a product. I use reviewstream to place reviews good and or bad about, products, companies and or sites. Such as review stream they want the reviews to be truthfully your own. The only thing I can think of is that basing your true opinion, there is nothing wrong with this. However, if one makes up lies and or speaks untruthful that can somehow taint a company then I would say one can be sued, at least here in the US this is how it goes, where one can be sued for deformation of character. Sites like review stream definitely makes sure that our writing reviews are specifically about our very own experiences with the said matter.

There are several sites that you can use for reviewing products. I use SiteJabber and Viewpoints but I know there are others. The reviews that are written and submitted are for the purpose of helping others choose what to buy and not to buy. I've never heard of anyone going to jail for submitting their opinions and experiences gleaned from using any particular product. After all, you are just submitting your opinion. So, no. No jail. No punishment for your opinions.

Just like one of the comments here, US has something called 'Freedom of Speech'. Sadly, some people in the US thinks that they can use Freedom of Speech to spread hate remarks, disrespectful opinions, or something alike. Generally, ranting about a product is like giving criticism or feedback that you were not happy about it. Nowadays, many people can do so online from any country. Whether or not you provide constructive criticism and offer suggestions, you don't need to be concerned too much about a product's reputation or a store's outlook. Some products are great, while some flops. Nothing is perfect - there's always success and failure.

I think this depends on what country you're coming from and the laws that govern it. To talk about the product is your opinion and you should be free to talk about the product that you like or do not like for that matter but I have heard some news in china that doing this in that country would actually land you in jail. Nevertheless, the one criticizing the product should also exercise caution and responsibility in writing or talking about the product, it should be a constructive criticism and not just criticism in general.

blue are u serious about this quiry...its call the first amendment...freedom of speech...Everyone is entitled to an opinion...just because it exist does not mean its favorable to everyone..It you want to rant or rave..the by all means go for it!!!!! lol

No, I don't think that anyone can go to jail for this. Not unless, the person threatened or said something harshly that would infringe on the life of another human being, then that is when this person could be held liable for their own words.

It really depends on the intention. If there's malice on it then I think the company has the right to sue you and let you provide proof to validate your claims. This reminds me of the two guys who were jailed for tweeting something that caused panic among residents. Some people say they have the right to expression but that right has limits too. I guess the court will take a look on the intention of those guys because that would determine if they are just merely expressing their rights against consciously eliciting panic.

Hello, bluegemini10 ! As some others before me have said, of course you have the right to an opinion. And as long as you're not a public person, you can't be accused of promoting or discrediting a product. If you were ...let's say Oprah and spoke bad about aproduct, you could have trouble because as a public figure your status is close to the one of a company as in having a reputation, followers or haters, etc. But as a mere human with a blog for example, you can say whatever you want and they have no right to even sue you. And if their company would have problem from a semi-anonimus bad review made on the internet, then they are the ones that have a big problem of marketing and not only and they should look in their own "back yard" to solve it. Happy posting!

There are very few crimes where you can go to jail. Expressing your opinion isn't one of them. Certain forms of cyber bulling yes, but writing a negitive comment (even harsh) isn't a crime. Mind you one single comment can't distroy a product or company. It takes a lot of them, by various people in order to do that... in which case that product would get recalled more likely and an investagation launched. But, no you wouldn't get in trouble. A comment isn't that serious. Unless it's against someone spiffically. And, even then you probably may loose your account, but jail it'sd have to be something serious.

Depends on the laws in your country. If it does ruin the reputation, the company can sue you. But you can always argue freedom of speech. depends on the decision of the court on whether you'll be jailed or fined or both

I think we have the right to say the truth, if we have foundation to to say that but if we don't know and haven't experience the product and is proved that you haven't use the product and are giving bad reviews, you can go to jail. But if you are saying the true the true can say save you to go to jail.

You can't go to jail by just giving a negative review/opinion about the product. Even if the sales are going down.

You cannot go to jail for expressing what you feel in a non malignant way, I mean, in a way you don't show intend of damaging anyone. You know, there are music groups like skap or stuff like that that always speak about things like capitalism, cocacola, the government, etc. They cannot be censured, it is their full right to express what they feel, it's called liberty of speech, and it's included within the concept of freedom. Going to jail for expressing what you feel without aim to affect anyone would be a total act of censure and repression, and those who would repress you are the ones that would be doing wrong, and thus, could be sent to jail.

Those who talk a lot about freedom of speech are those who don't actually have it. Further, if it is in your constitution, then you definitely don't have it. So, having made yourself clear about freedom of speech, don't ever think that you can use it to say nasty things about a product unless you are: The President. Bill Gates. A Senator. A Congressman/woman. A Union Leader. A multi-millionaire. Otherwise: Don't pass Go, don't collect 200...

You cannot go to jail for posting your opinions online

This is an interesting question. We have the freedom to state our opinion so on that basis I would think that We would be in the clear. However if our words destroy the product then things might be a little more complex. Celebrities have that kind of power to affect a product's sales just by stating their opinions on it. Have any celebrities said anything bad about a product? Most likely. Are they in Jail? I have no idea.