Junkman,
We allow discussions of people's negative experiences, we just don't allow the alledged offending dealer/business to be named specifcally. This is so for several reasons.
First, it is impossible to "sort out the truth" of any allegation here on TBN. That is not the function of this forum, and never was.
Second, people who have negative incidents with a business, themselves may have contributed to the problem. People do not always act intelligently, fairly or reasonably. Also, we have no way to know whether the "complaint" may be simply made up by a competitor of the buiness, or even someone wishing to stir things up here on TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
In the case you reference with a link, the judgement of the court consisted of about 85% dealing with whether or not the court had actual jurisdiction in the case.
Apparently the plaintiff's business was in located New York State, and the case was brought in New York. None of the defendants lived or worked in New York. The Court determined, as I read it, that it had no jurisdiction over the defendants in this case.
No one suggestred that the "web host" or forums themselves were responsible. The plantiff field his lawsuits against the persons who made the offending remarks.
If you understand the Internet and the law as it stands at the present time, web hosts and forum operators are not held accountable or liable for statements made on their forums. HOWEVER, those making any such remarks can be held accountable.
Even a small case, filed for mainly spurious reasons, can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees. And, as you point out, can cost a lot of money even if you are found totally without fault.
That is one of the main reasons we try to prevent any derogatory and potentially actionable statements here on TBN. We are really protecting you all from yourselves /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Our best advice comes from my grandmother (God rest her soul): "If you can't say anything nice about somebody, don't say anything at all." Pretty good advice.