Chat Noir, operator of the Caffe Veloce coffee shop in Japan, has sued publisher Kodansha for 11 million yen and an apology to compensate for losses it says it suffered due to a bad review of their coffee.
The October 2007 issue of “The Weekend for Adults” monthly magazine by Kodansha ranked 11 popular cafe chains in an undercover survey, checking them on drinks, food, atmosphere and convenience.
Caffe Veloce — known for signboards with wine-red frames or with the catchphrase, “Good coffee brewed here” — came last, with the accompanying article saying it was sheer luck whether the coffee was any good.
The chain is suing because it says the subjective opinion of a single writer has hurt is brand image. The magazine, on the other hand, claims such a suit, “not only restricts the freedom to criticize but is also disadvantageous for consumers.”
In case you are wondering, the top spot for a cup of Joe in Japan according to the review is Tully’s, followed by Segafredo Zanetti of Italy, and then Starbucks.
Do they actually have a case? Or is this just as seemingly frivolous as that lawsuit that was filed against the governor for insulting the French language?
And is this in any way related to the apparent lack of movie critics in Japan who are willing to slam a bad movie? (I could be wrong about this point. Are there movie critics who pan films in major newspapers or on television shows in Japan?)
I think there have been cases like this (if not in Japan then elsewhere) and they’ve failed. In English law “opinion” if based on something factual rather than personal spite is protected. I can’t say as it’s definitely the same in Japan, but I would guess it is close enough.