Consumer Review Legislation, Litigation Appear On the Horizon

Viewing, evaluating, or even writing consumer reviews, has become a ubiquitous element of the present day Internet experience for most users, particularly in urban areas such as New York City, in which a surfeit of dining, nightlife and cultural options often render the city dweller powerless to make an informed choice without the recommendations of similarly situated consumers. The reviews of fellow travelers have been recognized by the media, and even Congress, as a materially beneficial aspect for most Web users. Authentic customer reviews manifest indicia of reliability and candor that are believed not to be present in reviews that are motivated by financial interest, though many review sites do contain numerous reviews from advertisers masquerading as objective consumers.