California Bill Would Protect Consumers Who Write Negative Online Reviews

A bill being taken up by the California legislature would protect the rights of consumers to pen negative online reviews of companies, by curtailing “clickwrap licensing agreements” that require customers to waive the right to voice public dissatisfaction. The bill, which passed the state assembly last week, still would have to pass the senate and be signed by the governor, but California could end up exerting crucial influence in this nascent area of free speech. The bill specifies that any provision that limits the right to criticize the company would have to be clearly enough stated so that an agreement “was knowing, voluntary and intelligent.” A willful violation could result in up to a $10,000 fine.