From The Register.

An eBay shopper may face libel charges after posting negative feedback about a seller on the auction site.

Chris Read, a 42-year-old mechanic from Kent, wasn’t satisfied with the Samsung phone he purchased on eBay, reports the Daily Telegraph. For one thing, it wasn’t the right phone. It was also described to be in “good” condition and arrived rather worse for wear, he claims.

He returned the phone to the seller, Joel Jones, 26, of Suffolk, and requested a refund. Read then posted negative feedback for him, writing the “item was scratched, chipped, and not the model advertised on Mr. Jone’s eBay account.”

Read did get a refund, but also received an email from Jones claiming the negative feedback was damaging his business. Jones threatened to sue unless the comment was removed.

“Obviously I was shocked,” Read told the Daily Telegraph. “I replied saying I stood by my comment and would go to court if necessary.”

Hmmm…. Much as I love m’learned friends, I don’t think there’s much fee income here.