We (SgForums) have received a lawyer's letter from Harriet Educational Group, threatening legal action against us because of some of our users' allegedly defamatory postings.

Of course, we deny all liability. We do not screen what users post on the site, and are not liable for anything posted by our users. We have since removed the allegedly defamatory statements on a without prejudice and without admission of liability basis.

Who are they? I did manage to find some articles in the Straits Times about them:

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_278734.html

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080916-88081.html

http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080916-88112.html

I found some other links, however, they may be defamatory, so I will not link to them.

We urge all our users not to post anything defamatory or illegal on sgForums as you may become liable to legal action. Of course, we also do not enjoy receiving threatening letters from lawyers.

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Letter 1 dated 11 June 2009:

Letter 2 dated 12 June 2009:

 

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Harriet’s lawyers have alleged that the following statements are defamatory to their client:

Posted by Iamw7 on 27 Aug 2008:

[removed, see http://www.sgforums.com/forums/8/topics/372077]

 

Posted by Iamw7 on 29 Aug 2008:

[removed, see http://www.sgforums.com/forums/8/topics/372077]

 

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14 Aug Update:

Harriet continues to threaten SgForums, see: http://www.sgforums.com/forums/8/topics/372077

Sounds familiar, think was posted somewhere in AA?

Then sue the user, not the forum.

but why target u ?

Lets not say who, but someone is so despo for money that they will sue a public online forum.

what can we say? FAIL

I never say who hor, orkay?

 

oh. like someone who gona sue me just earlier a month ago?

 

a bit sad...

any actions gonna be  taken?

It is really dumb of ppl to threaten legal action to forum owners.

Guess they didn't even bother to read what was in the terms and conditions for members here. This type of action really makes one think twice about such people and their intelligence levels.

Actually I saying those MLM forumers who said the same thing in MLM forum, not directing this to any group hor.

Originally posted by eagle:

It is really dumb of ppl to threaten legal action to forum owners.

Guess they didn't even bother to read what was in the terms and conditions for members here. This type of action really makes one think twice about such people and their intelligence levels.

Actually I saying those MLM forumers who said the same thing in MLM forum, not directing this to any group hor.

Nah I think its quite different.

For this one, it appears someone registered an user just to post he/she getting unfair treatment from the group. Thats why they are sueing for defamatory?

You know, Jason, if they can do this as stated by Straits Times

There was also a new disclaimer in Wednesday's ad: 'Estimate (of) potential earnings are for illustration purposes only. We make no guarantee on your success or income level.'

 

Pple really need to know how to read:

You understand that all data, text, information, links and other content (collectively, "Content"), whether posted in public or restricted forums, is the sole responsibility of the person from which such Content originated. This means that you, and not Jeyel, are entirely responsible for all Content that you publish, post, upload, distribute, disseminate or otherwise transmit (collectively, "Post") via the Service. You understand that by using the Service, you may be exposed to Content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. Under no circumstances will Jeyel be liable in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to, for any errors or omissions in any Content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content Posted via the Service. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content.

Jeyel's Rights. You acknowledge that Jeyel does not pre-screen, control, edit or endorse Content made available through the Service and has no obligation to monitor the Content Posted via the Service. If Jeyel discovers Content that does not appear to conform to the Terms of Service, Jeyel may investigate and determine in good faith and in its sole discretion whether to remove the Content. Jeyel will have no liability or responsibility for performance or non-performance of such activities. You acknowledge that certain Forums available through the Service are available only through the Service and others are available both through the Service and other sources, such as Usenet, over which Jeyel has absolutely no control.

 

Originally posted by Y_Shun:

Nah I think its quite different.

For this one, it appears someone registered an user just to post he/she getting unfair treatment from the group. Thats why they are sueing for defamatory?

The main thing is this vs the TOS by Jeyel

threatening legal action against us because of some of our users' allegedly defamatory postings.

Really

Maybe Jason can feedback to us which firm was it that issued that...

 

Originally posted by eagle:

The main thing is this vs the TOS by Jeyel

Really

Maybe Jason can feedback to us which firm was it that issued that...

 

I know what you mean, but their intention is clearly going towards the posters la...

Originally posted by eagle:

The main thing is this vs the TOS by Jeyel

Really

Maybe Jason can feedback to us which firm was it that issued that...

Maybe they think that they have grounds to contest the ToS as inadmissible.

I think the problem is that you google 'harriet educational group' http://www.google.com.sg/search?q=harriet+educational+group you find that 2 of the top 4 results are warning about them being scams...

So now it seems they r trying to scare all the websais with lawyer letter to remove those posts, so when their soon to sign up student search for their name, they dun see so many entry about them being scammers

the users hides behind the anonymity of the internet .... so I guess these fellows settled for the next best thing ....

but seriously, don't they realized that they are digging a bigger hole for themselves ? ...

Can anyone request a hit on the CEO of the educational group? Since the group can use legal recourse on a forum while ignoring that it is just a unknown forumner who keeps posting nonsense in a forum, a hit on the CEO is just the same reciprocal action that should be taken. Of course, I am using an analogy to point out how stupid is the educational group's action, if anything happens in real life, it is just purely coincidental.

If this becomes a court case, the court will order the police to investigate and the real identity of the forumer can be traced as the police has many ways and means and IT experts to do so hor.

Originally posted by Fatum:

the users hides behind the anonymity of the internet .... so I guess these fellows settled for the next best thing ....

but seriously, don't they realized that they are digging a bigger hole for themselves ? ...

What next? Another NKF-style can of worms?

Originally posted by Lee012lee:

If this becomes a court case, the court will order the police to investigate and the real identity of the forumer can be traced as the police has many ways and means and IT experts to do so hor.

Maybe CAD also get involved and do full audit of Harriet's operations, who knows?

Our Corporate Values

Honesty, Integrity and Reliability
Excellent and Quality service
Exceed customers’ expectation
Be transparent in our activities

 

 

 

hahaha... these are their values.

 

hmmmm…. I fear the Streisand Effect.

Originally posted by la luce nella piazza:

hmmmm…. I fear the Streisand Effect.

Only this Harriet Group need to be afraid of it. We can just sit back and watch.

Originally posted by Kuali Baba:

Only this Harriet Group need to be afraid of it. We can just sit back and watch.

Exactly! Suing only serves to draw more attention. Have they completely forgotten a certain Mr. Durai?

Originally posted by Y_Shun:

I know what you mean, but their intention is clearly going towards the posters la...

which is actually damn dumb

Never heard of this group before this. Now I see what they do, all the more will be wary, and will warn anyone who asked me about it in the future.