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Signed into law yesterday by Governor Jerry Brown, California Civil Code Section 1670.8 now provides that:
A contract or proposed contract for the sale or lease of consumer goods or services may not include a provision waiving the consumer's right to make any statement regarding the seller or lessor or its employees or agents, or concerning the goods or services.
This statute comes with a fine of up to $2,500 for the first violation, up to $5,000 for the second and subsequent violations, as well as up to $10,000 for a willful, intentional, or reckless violation.
Software product EULAs are sometimes used to forbid negative reviews, and while this is not mentioned specifically in the text of the law, it is a fairly reasonable argument to think that this provision will apply there as well as in places like Yelp.com.
This law only applies in California, not in other states, or in other nations. Even so, it is a step in the right direction.
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Monday May 11 2015, @03:55PM
The problem is almost every company out there will happily screw you over if they can.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 11 2015, @09:56PM
Companies are composed of people. There are many people that will happily 'screw you over'. There are also many honest people. Likewise honest companies exist as well. You have mechanics that are crooks and you have a few good mechanics as well. Some mechanics don't do work on your car that they know are unnecessary but they do charge you more for the work they do. Likewise there are wealthy and expensive mechanics that are make a lot of money simply because they're just very good at what they do and there are people willing to pay a high premium to ensure the car is fixed right the first time without having to come back because their time is very valuable to them. I see little wrong with that. It's free market capitalism.
Some of the examples of relatively good big companies (though some of that maybe changing) include
Triple A (member owned)
Costco (If I understand correctly they promise their customers only a 13 profit margin)
Costco employees tend to be well paid (though Costco may try to get away with contracting with companies that benefit Costco but have lower paid employees (ie: CDS)).
Google
UPS (freight)
and the idea that everyone with a contract is out to scam you is a bit overrated (though I would refuse to sign a gym contract after being screwed by one, hahaha, but that's a long story).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 11 2015, @10:09PM
[Citation Needed]