Case generates publiclity backlash

An Apple-authorized reseller and service company, Systemgraph, is taking one of its customers to court for complaining about bad service, reports say. A Greek man, Dimitris Papadimitriadis, recently brought his iMac to Systemgraph in order to fix dark patches in the display. The company is said to have recommended interior and exterior cleaning, and then a replacement LCD panel. The results are alleged to have been even worse however, with trapped moisture and an unfixed LCD.

Although Systemgraph offered to fix the problem again, Papadimitriadis suggests that he lost faith in the company and relied on Greek law to demand a refund or replacement. Systemgraph refused, leading Papadimitriadis to turn to an ombudsman, and also post his story on a web forum. The latter triggered the lawsuit; Systemgraph is asking for €200,000 in damages, claiming that its reputation has been injured.

The company argues that Papadimitriadis has been "rude and aggressive," and involved in "an organised attempt to slander and insult" the business by way of writing about his problems online. The worst phrase used in the forum post, however, simply suggests that Systemgraph is "dodgy." A court hearing is scheduled for January 19th.

The case may be the first in Greece in which a company has targeted a customer because of online writing. The effort could be backfiring however, as many posts on Twitter are currently siding with Papadimitriadis.

by MacNN Staff