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The Rip-off Report ('''ROR''') is a privately-owned and operated Consumer Rights activist Website with the stated purpose of giving consumers a voice in disputes with corporations and public figures. Aggrieved individuals are asked to submit their complaints, and, after being screened for personal information and curse words (which are redacted), those statements are posted online with the expectation that public exposure will apply pressure to the targeted businesses. The administrator of Rip-off Report, Ed Magedson, solicits descriptions of Scams and Rip-off claims and publishes those reports as examples of corporate Fraud . BACKGROUND The Rip-off Report has been described as "the National Enquirer" itsbadbusiness.com – Ripoff Report - A Great Place to Check Out Before You Get Scammed of watchdog sites; with its scandalous headlines and sensationalized graphics, the website can draw attention to the alleged offenders. Many users enjoy the opportunity to vent online; the site's operator, Ed Magedson often promises eventual media attention and/or legal action. The site claims to have helped consumers settle their disputes with the offending companies, and, given the high-profile nature of the Rip-off Report on several search engines, those claims carry some weight. However, some companies have sued or threatened to sue Magedson for false statement and libel. Additionally, the site does not differentiate between documented incidents of bad business and empty claims by the consumer. One aspect of Rip-off Report that distinguishes it from similar sites is that Reports are never taken down or removed. The Rip-off Report and Magedson appear to be within their rights on this point since the Federal Communications Decency Act (CDA) creates an absolute legal "safe harbor" for websites and blogs where the content is posted by others. See CDA, Section 230 at 47 USC ยง 230. However, Rip-off Report employees do occasionally append "EDitor's Suggestions" to Ripoff Reports written by others -- the most common suggestions involve how to challenge a charge to the author's bank account or credit card. Though not required by the CDA, Magedson points out that anyone who feels a Rip-off Report has not gotten the facts straight, or has otherwise mischaracterized a person's activities, should file a Rebuttal to the initial Report. Such Rebuttals are free and they are a highly effective method to counter inaccurate information. To explain why he does not remove Reports, Magedson has frequently been quoted, "This is the 21st Century ... We all have to get used to getting blogged ... good, bad or indifferent, it is not going away." He also frequently cites the First Amendment maxim, "The remedy for inaccurate or questionable speech is more speech -- not censorship." One added feature offered by the Rip-off Report is the "Corporate Advocacy and Remediation Program". As a companion service to the main web page, this add-on provides assistance to businesses who have unfavorable Rip-off Reports. Magedson offers his services to help companies handle online complaints – specifically those posted on the Rip-off Report – in which the complaints are investigated. First, Magedson emails the Report filers and informs them that the business wants to make amends (usually including a 100% refund -- which is required to join the program). Second, the results of this offer of remediation are then posted along with the Report on the site. The original report is not rescinded but is updated to reflect whether the offer of remediation was accepted or not. Magedson points out that the Report filers identities are not disclosed in the process unless the filer wishes to communicate with the company directly about a remediation. The "advocacy and remediation" element of this resource involves a consulting fee. This appears to be one aspect of the revenue stream at the Rip-off Report. Magedson bills his program as something that benefits both consumers and businesses, and he promises to reduce the number of complaints received by companies who retain his services.http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff167471.htm – This is the cite to the CAP Program on RipOffReport.com describing the program. CRITICISM AND LAWSUITS Rip-off Report allows consumers to post complaints anonymously. The accused companies are allowed to post rebuttals. ROR's high rankings in the Internet search engines lead to frustration by some companies who feel they are being victimized by complaints that may or may not have any merit. Also a company (Federated Financial) that has expressed personal threats towards ROR's owner has been deprived from writing (further) rebuttals, leading to increase of frustration. There are a number of unsourced offensive allegations against Ed Magedson and the Rip-off Report which are easily found online. Several sites have been erected solely devoted to attack ROR and its owner. Also many allegations have been posted on Internet message boards. The charges all stem from his alleged manipulation of information found on the Rip-off Report, and his attempts to extort money from companies in exchange for removing (or editing) complaints posted on his website. It is also alleged by these companies that Magedson posts libelous statements about them if they do not comply. Magedson states that these claims are all false and are the result of Reported people and businesses trying to show that he wrote some of the questioned content so that the Communications Decency Act's "safe harbor" does not apply. Some companies have sued (or expressed the intention to file suit against) Magedson. One website provides court documents of plaintiff's allegations that Magedson charged one company $50,000 plus an ongoing monthly fee in order to modify the negative impact of their RORs. bad-business-rip-off.com – Website by Federated Financial ezripofflawsuit – International Creative Artists, Helene Goldnadel, ezbc.com and ripoffreport.com lawsuit WSVN Orlando Fox 7News, date unknown WMV video Carmel Cafiero: ''"Risky Business"'' ABC Action News November 28, 2006. ''Consequences of Complaining Online'', An Action News Consumer Special Report By Nydia Han 19ActionNews November 29, 2006. 19ActionNews video Danielle Serino - ''Consumer Alert: Ripoff Report'' 19ActionNews February 20, 2007. 19ActionNews video - ''Elderly Couple Scammed Trying To Put Their Business Online'' Several ROR reported persons and businesses have allegedly hired the Defamation Action League (an outfit of known professional big time criminal spammers This is a cite to Spamhaus.org's page on William Stanley documenting his criminal spamming activity. operating from countries outside the US) to harass and defame Magedson and his business partners into removing reports. [http://news.com.com/Police+Blotter+Dark+side+of+reputation+defending+service/2100-1030_3-6194158.html This is a cite to a neutral article on Cnet citing a federal judge's findings granting a restaining order against DAL, Stanley & Russo for thier hasassing activities. Two pending lawsuits against ROR:
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