Monday, January 31, 2011

Blogger Mark of 248am.com has received a court order from Benihana














Court order translated into English.. [link]

I've noticed someone is viewing all my restaurant reviews, now I wonder who that could be?

Get ready Mark I think this maybe going global :OD

Update: News media coverage so far...

DubaiEye Radio Interview
Twitter
The National
TNW Social Media
Gulf News
CNN iReport
KippReport
Emirates 24/7
Arabian Business
Emirates 24/7 (2nd)



19 comments:

  1. It's funny how it accuses Mark of trying to gain 'fake popularity' in one para and then concedes that it's read by 'tens of thousands of people' right in the next.
    FAKE popularity? I can't get over that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Purple Moonbeam,
    Quite bizarre isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mark should contact the mother company and other bloggers in the states, they will fire this managers behind.

    And no I didn't mean the manager is smart as in any publicity is good publicity, I was being sarcastic...every gram of my 90kg were being sarcastic with that comments.

    Also, we do not have any laws that cover internet publications, so mark can till that thug to kiss his behind.

    In solidarity with LWDLIK I will not be going there (like i was going to go anyway), but i will try to get some dressing :)

    EB

    Am I the only one who knows your south african?
    Why are they assuming you are a brit? Can they see your teeth and I can't :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi EB, I'm hoping that's the case re the internet publications. I love that Kuwait has freedom of speech in the press and on TV. Why should the internet be any different and where would it end; how about censored emails, libelous text msging to a third party about how awful a certain Japanese restaurant's food is. No, we shouldn't stand for it. What about the restaurant critics in the States- the Libel centre of the world? I don't see them getting sued over their personal opinions.
    Some people need to get real.
    I still have all my teeth :OD
    EB thank you for saying 'behind' I know that must have taken some restraint... LOL :OD

    ReplyDelete
  5. Benihana's notes
    Notes about Benihana
    Subscribe
    Benihana's notes
    Benihana Kuwait
    by Benihana on Monday, 31 January 2011 at 12:23
    Dear BENIHANA fans,

    At Benihana, we continuously strive to improve our relationships with our guests and our community. We take any and all customer reviews very seriously and consider them opportunities for improving our operations and making the customer’s BENIHANA experience more unique, authentic, and enjoyable.

    Over the last few days, we have read your posts regarding an alleged lawsuit filed by “Benihana” against a blogger based in Kuwait for posting an unfavorable review of a newly-opened, BENIHANA restaurant location in Kuwait. We hear you and wish to correct any misinformation.

    The BENIHANA brand is co-owned by two separate and distinct corporate entities – Benihana, Inc. and Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. We, Benihana, Inc., own, operate and franchise nearly 100 BENIHANA restaurants in states and countries throughout the United States, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. You can find our locations by visiting the www.BENIHANA.com website. Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. owns, operates, or franchises BENIHANA restaurants in various other parts of the world, including, Kuwait. You can view Benihana of Tokyo, Inc.’s locations by visiting www.BenihanaGroup.com.

    While we have a shared interest in the BENIHANA brand, we have no control over Benihana of Tokyo, Inc.’s business or legal decisions. Consequently, we cannot comment or opine on the alleged lawsuit filed by Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. except to say that we are never pleased to hear of any BENIHANA customer’s negative experience. We encourage you to share your opinions and comments directly with Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. The company’s contact information is available on www.BenihanaGroup.com.
    Like · Comment · Share
    Brandi Smith, Cathy Ward, จะดูแลเธอด้วยรัก จริง ๆน่ะ and 27 others like this.
    Benihana For those of you who would like to see certificates valid on weekends - please know that due to the overwhelming popularity of the program, we had to make some modifications to The Chef's Table. Rather than reducing the amount of the certificate provided or eliminating the program all-together, we chose to have the certificates valid Mondays through Thursdays. We sincerely appreciate your feedback but will not be making any changes to the existing format.
    6 hours ago · 1 person ·
    Benihana Ileene - the certificates are available at lunch and dinner Mondays through Thursdays.
    5 hours ago ·
    Benihana ‎@ Cecile - this facebook page is operated by Benihana National which includes the US locations (with the exception of Hawaii), Central and South America and the Caribbean. For information regarding any other Benihana location, please visit their website: www.BenihanaGroup.com.
    4 hours ago ·
    Facebook © 2011 · English (UK)
    Mobile · Find friends · Badges · People · Pages

    ReplyDelete
  6. Actually reading what i wrote, am amazed I even used the word behind, not as amazed as "till" rather than tell :)

    But I really hate how profanities and vulgarities are tolerated in Kuwait and the world (media) in general :(

    Bet you benihanas write mark and apologizes

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry dear, but don't publish this:

    Commercials I understand, but pageviews and ratings for your entries! You don't need that!
    You are good at what you do and you know it, counts and ratings are a bit... whats the word am looking for...well, can't think of any, but it is not LWDLIK like.

    EB

    ReplyDelete
  8. You will hear from my lawyer for publishing the above




    jk in case you didn't get it

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Anon who posted the FB page details for Benihana Inc, Many thanks that's interesting looks as if Benihana Inc. would have dealt with this very differently.. so any complaints should go to Benihana of Tokyo Inc. contact details on www.benihanagroup.com.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear EB, Thanks for your concern and I really do appreciate your opinion..You are probably right!
    I am a feisty Brit who doesn't take kindly to intimidation or attempted removal of my civil liberties. It's in our blood..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Anon, What's jk mean? If it means joke it ain't funny :OP

    ReplyDelete
  12. EB, Would the word be crass? :OP

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello K

    Ok, aren't you south african?
    Am talking about the star ratings,page views, polls, what does civil liberties has to do with this?
    And Anon with the "funny" joke was me, and I meant the comment where I asked not to be published?
    I was thinking girlish (seeking approval), but crass-esh would do, on the count of it being commercial now :)

    EB

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello EB, Not South African never was or will be. The civil liberty freedom of expression, one of my favs. The others are mostly covered by laws but this one gets fuzzy now and again. Oh that's what you didn't want published I thought you were refering to the polls and ads. Yes I prefer girlish.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This makes an interesting read!!!
    Found in today's Kuwait Times.
    LOCAL NEWS
    No Cabinet reshuffle
    Published Date: January 26, 2011

    KUWAIT: The Cabinet does not have plans to reshuffle its members anytime soon, nor do they intend to monitor social networking websites, reported Al-Qabas.
    Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, State Minister of Housing and State Minister of Development Affairs also asserted that the government is committed to principles of freedom and democracy. "This prevents [the government] from monitoring Twitter, online blogs or other websites," he said.

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOVE IT! WTG Kuwait. Thanks Anon for the info.

    ReplyDelete
  17. So did you guys really take a blogger to court for 'that' post????
    2 hours ago · Like ·
    Benihana - Kuwait Hi sandeep.rest assured that it is not and we repeat notttt for a negative review, we understand the concept behind blogs, the reason will be revealed in a later stage after the hearings,so stay tuned..the reason why we cannot state anything at the moment is because it is illegal .thank you for understanding
    about an hour ago · Lxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello Lxx, Thank you for your posts. I am confused if they are not taking him to court for the negative review what are they taking him to court over?
    Another kind reader Jambino was explaining that the review's only slightly a problem as it refers to serving raw chicken, which is a crime here. So in essence it could be construed as accusing Benihana Kuwait of breaking the law. Never mind that Mark could have died or been extremely ill from eating the raw chicken. No apology for that just all out war.
    But my question is after the fact how do you prove that either way?
    Where do you go to complain about such things and do you need to take a sample with you?
    I'd like to know these things now in case I'm in his shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Benihana - Kuwait Hi Eissa, thank you for your feedback its much appreciated, and will be taken into consideration. Now to answer your question rest assured that we do not sue any of our customers and any person who expresses his/her opinion because we believe in the freedom of speech.
    5 hours ago · Like · HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ?Lxx

    ReplyDelete

Always great to hear from you :O)