I run a review site where I offer my views on products. Some good & some bad, I try to be honest and tell it how it is. Do i need a disclaimer on the site to report that this is my personal opinion & you should proceed at your own risk, also protecting me from any product owners in instances where i've done a bad but fair review. If so, can anyone point me towards a relevant disclaimer. I'm based in the UK, but the site is hosted in the US
Here is a link to a quick free disclaimer builder: http://209.204.219.152/free_details.htm#disclaimer
I reiterate Spartan_Strategy's comment that it is better safe than sorry - just a few lines saying that the reviews are your own comments based on your experience of the products tested will do the trick.
Yes you do need a disclaimer if you want to avoid being held liable for the content you publish. If you don't you as the platform for any libelous comments etc are likely to be held liable. It ain't the person saying it kind of thing its the paper that publishes it. Always go for a disclaimer, safest way.
I don't think you need a disclaimer, but it's always nice to have one. I used to run a review website and didn't have one. Companies should expect both good and bad reviews when they send products out to websites.
If you want to give yourself some level of protection you must have a disclaimer in place. Dont' take this the wrong way but just because you never used one and got away without having any problems was down to luck rather than anything. You should always err on the side of caution don't you think.
Disclaimers are good to have, but you don't need one for a review site stating that reviews are personal opinions and could be negative or positive. That is understood. Of course, if my site were Cnet or something like that I would have a disclaimer. To the OP, you cannot be sued for giving a negative review, so long as you are truthful.
Best to have a disclaimer, yes. It's not that big of a deal, just make a simple html page on your site, and link to it in the footer that way it isn't ugly and all over your site, but at least you can say it's there
One definitely can be sued, whether it's frivolous or not. A disclaimer is not some magic shield to stop someone from suing you for what not. However, a "properly-worded" one can aid in your legal defense.
A review site stating quote you "that reviews are personal opinions and could be negative or postive" is a disclaimer of sorts in itself. Your absolutely wrong that he can't get sued if he doesn't put a disclaimer there, as the platform for any defamitory remarks he certainly can. @OP; Always issue a disclaimer, it takes little room up and covers you just in case.
prevention is better than cure. what do you have to loose by putting a tiny little disclaimer ???? go ahead put one.
Definitely use a disclaimer; on a slightly different note I think it is important for two people to carry out a review and to publish your joint experiences. I think this results in a far fairer review and one that will carry more weight with your users.
Yes, definatly for a reviews site, you need to state (if the reviews are submitted by users) that you do not agree with what users are saying, you could be sued for slander.
yeah definitely with the site your running, your reviews might destroy one's company image if your review gets to the media and your dead! better be safe...
An ounce of prevention is a ton of cure. Putting a disclaimer page is probably a very easy task and will definitely help you specially you have a review site. I agree that you will never be sued if you write factual articles but sometimes even a single word on your article can lead to arguments. Do have one, it will only take you mins to get it done.