Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ROCA First Amended Complaint and Answers
ROCA First Amended Complaint and Answers
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Plaintiff,
Vs.
33EAJ
CONSUMER OPINION CORP. and
OPINION CORP.
Defendants
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5. ROCA is a Florida forprofit corporation with its principal place of business at 7261A
Tamiami Trail S, Sarasota, FL 34231.
6. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
7. Defendant CONSUMER OPINION CORP. is a New York for profit corporation with its
principal place of business at 1204 Avenue U, Suite 1080, Brooklyn, NY 11229.
Upon information and belief CONSUMER OPINION CORP. is the owner of the
trademark Pissed Consumer (U.S. Reg. No. 3679454) and owns and/or operates
the website PissedConsumer.com.
8. Admitted in part and denied in part. Denied as to the allegation that Consumer
Opinion Corp. owns and/or operates the website PissedConsumer.com.
9. Defendant OPINION CORP. is a New York for profit corporation with its principal place
of business at Gravesend Neck Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11223. Upon information and
belief OPINION CORP. owns and/or operates the website
PissedConsumer.com.
10. Admitted
11. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 48.193 Florida Statutes, the Defendants are subject to
personal jurisdiction in Florida because Defendants by and through their website
PissedConsumer.com operate and engage in a business in Florida by selling
services to Florida residents and corporations.
12. Denied as an erroneous legal conclusion and without factual foundation.
13. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 48.193 Florida Statutes, the Defendants are subject to
personal jurisdiction in Florida because Defendants by and through their website
PissedConsumer.com violated Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices
Act in the State of Florida.
14. Denied as an erroneous legal conclusion and without factual foundation.
15. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 48.193 Florida Statutes, the Defendants are subject to
personal jurisdiction in Florida because Defendants by and through their website
PissedConsumer.com are accessed and used in Florida and have committed
tortious acts against Plaintiff.
16. Denied as an erroneous legal conclusion and without factual foundation.
17. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 48.193 Florida Statutes, the Defendants are subject to
personal jurisdiction in Florida because Defendant allows users to geotarget a
Florida company by location and to post complaints via location and
directly.
33. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
34. ROCAs products have been safely and successfully used by tens of thousands of
people as a surgery free alternative to gastric bypass.
35. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
36. ROCA has made significant investments in product development and in its
intellectual property rights.
37. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
38. ROCA owns the registered trademark Roca Labs.
39. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
40. ROCAs trademark are inherently distinctive.
41. Denied.
42. ROCA has invested heavily, monetarily and otherwise, in an online marketing and
advertising program that has run in Florida and across the United States.
43. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
44. ROCA competes with Defendants for consumers when individuals conduct online
searches on Google, Bing, Yahoo! and other search engines.
45. Denied.
46. ROCA relies upon its reputation in the community, which includes the internet, and the
weight loss success of its customers to generate new business and attract new
customers.
47. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
48. In exchange for a significant discount (discounts average $800), customers contractually
agree that, regardless of their outcome, they will not speak, publish, print, blog or
write negatively about ROCA or its products in any forum (See ROCA
purchase terms attached as Exhibit A).
49. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
50. This contractual agreement would restrict ROCAs customers from posting
complaints on Defendants website: PissedConsumer.com.
51. Denied.
52. Defendants OPINION and PISSED are owners of a multifaceted Internet and service
business PissedConsumer.com (Pissed Consumer).
53. Denied.
54. Defendant, OPINION owns the registered trademark Pissed Consumer.
55. Denied.
56. Defendants collectively own, operate and maintain the website PissedConsumer.com
(subject website), which according to its marketing materials is a consumer
advocacy and customer complaint website. (See Marketing Materials attached as
Composite Exhibit B). This is Defendants
primary website and revenue generating website.
57. Denied in part. Consumer Opinion Corp. does not won the website
PissedConsumer.com.
58. PissedConsumer.com, by and through Defendants, functions in part as a platform for
individuals to complain about people, products and/or businesses. Essentially
PissedConsumer.com operates as a gripe site where anonymous individuals can
post malicious, false, defamatory and salacious content about individuals or
businesses.
59. Denied.
60. Complaints have been made on PissedConsumer.com by individuals residing in Florida
and about Florida residents and businesses and accessed by Florida residents
or individuals in the State of Florida.
61. Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
62. Upon information and belief the website PissedConsumer.com has been accessed
thousands of times by Floridians.
they created dont pay and Defendants will make the content worse and
disseminate it throughout the internet until you submit.
75. Denied.
76. Defendants have engaged in a public battle or war against ROCA. It appears that their
primary objective is to put Plaintiff out of business while simultaneously
maximizing their own revenues and profits.
77. Denied.
78. Defendants have created and published false, malicious and defamatory content about
ROCA, employed a network of sophisticated agents to make false and malicious
statements to interfere with Plaintiffs prospective customers, solicited ROCA
customers in an attempt to have them sue and or disparage ROCA, sued ROCA,
publicly solicited funds to raise a litigation war chest to fight ROCA and have
engaged in black hat Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and other nefarious
online tactics to harm the reputation of ROCA.
79. Denied.
80. The more harm and public humiliation Defendants cause ROCA, the more
Defendants profit.
81. Denied.
82. Defendants generate revenues from multiple avenues including, but not limited to: (1)
developing, creating, publishing and marketing online content (2) advertising (3)
maintaining a web platform for third party users/subscribers to post content (4)
transmitting and disseminating said content throughout the internet (5)
selling/leasing a portion of its internet sites to third parties (6) operating a service
to resolve complaints for consumers and (7) selling online reputation
management services to individuals and business.
83. Denied.
84. PissedConsumer.com, by and through Defendants, codevelop complaints with users
and then assumes exclusive rights to the content.
85. Denied.
86. PissedConsumer.coms Terms and Conditions provide the following: By posting
information or content to any public area of www.PissedConsumer.com, you
automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to
grant, to PC an irrevocable, perpetual, fullypaid, worldwide exclusive license to
use, copy, perform, display and distribute such information and content and to
prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such information and
content, and to grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing. You also
expressly authorize PC to share
any posted information with third parties at PC's own discretion.
87. Admitted.
88. In order for an individual to post a complaint on PissedConsumer.com, s/he must go
through a multiple step process over several website pages, where numerous items
must be completed and a poster is required to select from a series of drop down
items, radial buttons, category selections, etc. Users must complete mandatory
predefined fields and must complete a minimum onehundred (100) word complaint description.
89. Admitted.
90. Thus, Defendants have created a system whereby they cocreate content that is published
on PissedConsumer.com by individuals and Defendants acquire exclusive
rights to the content upon publishing.
91. Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
92. Step one of the content creation process is to access the page PissedConsumer.com.
93. Admitted.
94. Step two is selecting the Submit Complaint button at the top of PissedConsumer.com or
the submit review button after the question, Did you get scammed?
(screen capture below).
95. Admitted.
96. The next step in the process is the post complaint page
(http://www.PissedConsumer.com/postcomplaint.html). Here, users are given the
option of posting a standard review or paying for a review in order to guarantee
additional exposure, which would appear to set forth that PissedConsumer.com
and Defendants do in fact have control over the posted content.
97. Denied.
98. Users are required to create a title and a complaint that is a minimum of onehundred
(100) words. Users next identify the company and select from a drop down menu
for the Category that is defined by Pissed Consumer. At the end of this page users
agree to Pissed Consumers terms and conditions and must also agree that You
will not be able to edit your review. This last agreement is in small, light gray
text to be less apparent to users (screen capture below). Users can also post photos
or videos at this step.
99. Admitted.
100.Step four is completing an additional page of information about the complaint. A user
must enter their name, email and telephone number. Users have radial buttons to
identify the complaint and are asked to identify the value of the loss. Users can
then select the type of resolution that is desired (screen capture below).
101.Admitted.
102.Step five is completing another page of information. Pissed Consumer has three boxes of
information that are designed to geolocate the complained about item or company,
specify the product or service, and then create metatags to enhance search
engine optimization.
103.Denied in part. Meta-tags is a specific technological terms that is not the same as
tags as used on PissedConsumer.com.
104.Step six is completing another page of information that includes providing star ratings
about specific items, and adding more information.
105.Admitted.
106.Step seven is becoming a member of their website and receiving additional benefits.
107.Admitted.
108.In essence, PissedConsumer.com, by and through Defendants, functions as a complaint
generator as it instructs or coauthors the post on its website by ensuring that users
write content in a certain manner, select from a list of business categories, fill in
predefined information and select radial buttons. The predefined categories and
questions act to control and manage the content received from users. Users are not
able to access the website and freely state a complaint rather, they must follow
protocols strictly set forth by PissedConsumer.com. PissedConsumer.com,
therefore,
is not simply a platform that allows an internet user to comment without interfere
nce.
109. Denied.
110.As illustrated in the image below, Defendants ask specific questions about ROCA and
present this information in a manner designed to inflict as much harm as possible
on ROCA.
111.Denied.
112.Defendants make users review nutrition description, safety and cost per month for
ROCA products. These are atypical categories and were designed by Defendants
to give the impression that ROCA products are not safe, are expensive and
misleading.
113.Denied.
114.Defendants created the categories that are unique to Roca Labs on the subject website.
115.Denied.
116.Defendants created the content generating system which includes star ratings.
117.Denied.
118.Worse yet, Defendants have no safeguards or filters to ensure that the information the
users provided is truthful or accurate, or that the users have any actual
relationship, directly or indirectly, to the business. Indeed, there are no safeguards
to ensure that the users are not competitors or fake posters with an agenda.
119.Denied.
120.In other words, any one of us could be a victim of this process a process which
seemingly requires mere access to PissedConsumer.com, and not a relationship to
the product or business.
121.Denied.
122.Upon information and belief, Defendants have created false negative reviews about
Plaintiff in order to induce Plaintiff into paying towards Defendants financial gai
n.
123.Denied.
124.Upon information and belief, Defendants are aware that much of the content that it cocreates, coauthors, licenses and publishes is false and/or defamatory and/or
malicious.
125.Denied.
126.Creating content in a specified format allows Defendants to maximize content
distribution, which translates directly to increasing revenues.
127.Denied.
128.On select occasions as dictated and decided by PissedConsumer.com, Defendants
develop a new and distinct version of the users posting for dissemination on
Twitter via its Twitter account handle @PissedConsumer (a handle is akin to
a users screenname and is unique to the user). This manipulation from a
complaint to a tweet
manage the users posting to fit the onehundred and forty (140)
direct initiation,
minimum one-
shake B.
Doesnt Work!!! I cant believe I really thought this would work! Save your
money C. WILL NOT PROCESS PROMISED REFUND, LIED TO BY
CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS REGARDING PROMISED REFUND (See
Exhibit E Twitter Postings
145.Denied.
146.Defendants Tweets about ROCA were created and developed by Defendants. Without
Defendants involvement (whether manual or automated), the subject tweets do
not exist.
147.Denied.
148.Defendants Tweets come directly from @PissedConsumer without any third party
attribution however, if there is a thirdparty managing the foregoing Twitter
handle,
controlled by PissedConsumer.com.
149.Denied.
150.In making a Tweet, Defendants will add ROCAs Twitter handle @RocaLabs to
further exploit ROCA. Adding another handle such as @RocaLabs is not
something Twitter automatically does and is unequivocally done by
PissedConsumer.com. This is further manipulation of the original content
by
PissedConsumer.com.
151.Denied.
152.In making a Tweet, Defendants add a tinyurl.com link. This action is to conform
with the character limit of Twitter, and thus changes, modifies, controls,
and manages
163.Denied.
164.The above Tweet is then
165.Denied.
166.ROCA has contacted Defendants on numerous occasions to complain about these
types of postings, but Defendants have refused to take any action or remove
these
Chapter 770.
169.Denied.
170.Defendants deliberately publishes false, defamatory, misleading, false, and inaccurate
content on PissedConsumer.com that is created by Defendants.
PissedConsumer.com
$110,000.
171.Denied.
172.According to Defendants, more than 160,000 people have viewed the postings on
PissedConsumer.com about ROCA.
173.Denied. The number of page views does not equate to the number of people who
have viewed this website.
174.The number of complaints, claimed losses and average loss are defamatory, false and
misleading statistics created and published by Defendants.
175.Denied.
176.Defendants present data and information on companies in varying forms and formats in
order to maximize profits from companies that are complained about on the
subject website. Defendants do so without performing any due diligence that may
verify facts or untruths.
177.Denied.
178.Upon information and belief, companies that pay Defendants for their business
services are treated in a different manner than those who refuse to pay for
business
179.Denied.
180.Upon information and belief, American Income Life Insurance Company (American
Life Insurance) is an example of one company out of potentially
thousands that are
business treated differently on
to the actions of
PissedConsumer.com.
197.Denied.
198.Defendants recognize the damage that a posting on its site can have on the reputation,
brand, sales, revenue, customer base and goodwill of a company.
199.Denied.
200.Defendants see this as an opportunity to profit off the complaints that it coauthors, controls, manipulates, modifies, and manages.
201.Denied.
202.Defendants openly market their ability to manage online complaints and offer to
convert customer complaints into a powerful customer relations tool.
203.Denied.
204.Contrary to Defendants own statements on their website, Defendants will not allow
ROCA to communicate to its users unless it subscribes to Defendants reputation
management services, i.e., unless ROCA pays Defendants.
205.Denied.
206.Defendants statements about its ability to resolve complaints and act as a consumer
advocate are false and misleading as they incorrectly lead users to believe that
Defendants will help to resolve the issue complained of, when in fact Defendants
are using complaints to generate new reputation management customers.
207.Denied.
208.PissedConsumer.com, by and through Defendants, also misleadingly states that it
provides the option for users to have the company in which they are complaining
about contact them.
209.Denied.
210.Defendants mislead users into thinking that it can resolve complaints and has a
service or system to assist consumers in complaint resolution.
211.Denied.
212.ROCA has not received any communication from Defendants attempting to mediate
or resolve complaints.
213.Denied.
214.Defendants through their website have attempted to sell ROCA reputation
management services.
215.Denied.
216.Defendants will not release the names of any of its posters to ROCA, and ROCA
cannot attempt to resolve complaints.
217.Denied.
218.Complaints posted about ROCA on PissedConsumer.com are used by Defendants to
sell ROCA business services and not to resolve any alleged consumer issues.
219.Denied.
220. PissedConsumer.com, by and through Defendants, publishes that it is a consumer
advocacy site and that it will attempt to bring complaints to a resolution, when in
truth it does nothing.
221.Denied.
222.According to Defendants marketing materials PissedConsumer.com Helps Consumers
Get More From Consumer Complaints. (SeeExhibit B).
223.Denied as to Consumer Opinion Corp. Admitted as to Opinion Corp.
224.Pissed Consumer describes itself as a consumer advocacy business and represents to
users that it can resolve their complaints with Companies.
225.Denied.
226.According to their marketing materials, Pissed Consumer, by and through Defendants,
offers a set of free tools necessary to bring customer disputes to a fast and
successful resolution, including a consumer complaint letter generator and
collection of consumer tips and advice in the site's consumer advocacy section
(See Exhibit B).
227.Admitted as to Opinion Corp. Denied as to Consumer Opinion Corp.
228.In generating complaint letters Defendants are the author or at a minimum the coauthor
of the content. In their marketing materials, Defendants state: Complaint letters
still have the power to effectively bring a resolution to the problem, if they're
written in a serious and professional manner detailing the precise problem and
exactly what the consumer would like the company to do to rectify the situation,
rather than simply exchanging heated words. Our free tool aims to help
consumers achieve exactly that a successful resolution to their complaints. The
computergenerated consumer complaint letters contain all vital information,
including:
1. A. Date of the complaint filing
2. B. Complainant's name and address
3. C. Name and address of the recipient of the complaint
4. D. Complaint title and details
5. E. Information for the recipient of the complaint regarding how to proceed in
[ROCAs customers] through fear and intimidation without any factual basis.
259.Denied.
260.Defendants continued their smear campaign against ROCA by stating that ROCA was in
imminent risk of government closure. Defendants stated on several occasions that
ROCA was desperate to sell as many of its tubs of goo to the public as it can
before regulatory agencies come knocking, does its best to bully its former
customers into silence.
261.Denied.
262.Defendants deployed a network of agents and affiliates to further disseminate false and
malicious statements about ROCA.
263.Denied.
264.All of the foregoing demonstrates Defendants overall scheme: spread false, malicious
and harmful misrepresentations and lies about ROCA unless and until it agrees to
pay Defendants hush money to keep these statements off their website.
265.Denied.
266.ROCA is not the lone victim upon information and belief Defendants have employed
this scheme against hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other businesses. and are
making millions of dollars annually by selling reputation management.
267.Denied.
268.COUNT I
269.DECEPTIVE & UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES
270.AGAINST CONSUMER OPINION CORP
271.ROCA realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 133 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant CONSUMER OPINION CORP
(OPINION) for Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices as follows:
272.Defendant reincorporate the responses to the allegations of paragraphs 1 through
133.
273.Pursuant to Florida Statute Section 501.204(1) as part of the Florida Deceptive and
Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), it is unlawful for any party to engage in
unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce.
274.Denied as a legal conclusion. TO the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
275.Defendant OPINION, falsely purports to serve the community as a reputable consumer
advocacy group via its website PissedConsumer.com (subject website).
276.Denied.
277.The subject website states their purpose is to allow users to get your whole issue
resolved and share your experience with the world.
278.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
279.The subject website claims that it can help bring consumer disputes to a fast and
successful resolution (SeeExhibit B).
280.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
281.Instead, Defendant OPINION uses complaints to sell advertising space on its subject
website to its users and sell reputation management services to companies.
282.Denied.
283.Defendant OPINION states that it will contact the company against whom a complaint is
being made.
284.Denied.
285.Defendant OPINION has never contacted ROCA to attempt to resolve any complaints
and instead, the Defendant OPINION has taken the opposite action and has
rebuffed communications from ROCA to resolve problems.
286.Denied.
287.Defendant OPINION further states that PissedConsumer.com improves the interactive
relationship between corporation and consumer, thereby improving the clients'
bottom line.
288.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
289.Defendant OPINIONs subject website has done nothing to improve the relationship
between ROCA and its customers and has only hurt ROCAs monetary profits and
reputation.
290.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
291.By publishing false statements about its services on the subject website, the Defendant
OPINION engages in deceptive and unfair practices.
292.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
293.Additionally, through their Terms and Conditions posted on their subject website,
Defendant OPINION states that it will not publish false, defamatory, inaccurate
or other types of statements.
294.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
295.Defendant OPINION knowingly and intentionally violates this policy and allows false,
defamatory and inaccurate statements about ROCA on its subject website.
296.Denied.
297.Statements on PissedConsumer.com about ROCA include, but are not limited to:
1. A. This product sucks. It's expensive, horrible to drink & doesn't do nothing (See
Review #506944 by anonymous).
2. B. This business is a total fraud. BEWARE! (See Review #490848 by anonymous).
3. C. Roca Labs Got scammed and sick from this JUNK (See Review #482648 by
anonymous).
4. D. Roca Labs Run dont walk away from this one! SCAM!! (See Review #487885
by anonymous).
5. E. The Company is full of lies and deceit (See Review #482585 by anonymous).
6. F. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE. They are CROOKS (
See Review
#480448 by anonymous).
7. G. Roca Labs Dont buy anything from Roca Lab they just sell a regular
shake they are stealing your money (
See Review
#475672 by anonymous).
8. H. I have a friend working in the warehouse of this product, he told me that
is unsanitary they dont use gloves and hair nets to assemble
the
See Review
#413698 by anonymous).
11. K. You have a better chance of feeling full if you swallowed a glass of
liquid cement and let it harden in your stomach. Do not waste your
time,
311.Additionally, Defendant OPINION has made false and defamatory statements about
ROCA via Twitter. Statements include but are not limited to:
1. A. @RocaLabs Dont buy anything from Roca Labs they just sell a regular shake
2. B. Doesnt Work!!! I cant believe I really thought this would work! Save your money
3. C. WILL NOT PROCESS PROMISED REFUND, LIED TO BY CUSTOMER
SERVICE AGENTS REGARDING PROMISED REFUND (See
Exhibit E)
312.Denied.
313.By publishing these statements on Twitter the Defendant OPINION, engages in
deceptive and unfair practices.
314.Denied.
315.Defendant OPINION claims that it has been a leader in customer service and consumer
advocacy since 2006 and that it operates the consumer review site
PissedConsumer.com, one of the highest ranking and best regarded consumer
review sites on the Internet (SeeExhibit B).
316.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
317.PissedConsumer.com was in fact removed from Googles index for violations of
Googles policies and they have been repeatedly sued for their business practices.
There are hundreds of negative articles about Pissed Consumer online and in
Ascentive v. Opinion Corp., 842 F Supp. 2d 450, Dist. Court, ED NY, the Court
found that aspects of Pissed Consumers business were troubling and perhaps
unethical.
318.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
319.By publishing false statements about its own esteem and reputation, the Defendant
OPINION engages in deceptive and unfair practices.
320.Denied.
321.Defendant OPINION markets and promotes PissedConsumer.com as an unbiased
consumer review site and that it allows consumers to make better choices about
companies and products (SeeExhibit B).
322.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
354.ROCA realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 173 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant OPINION CORP. d/b/a
373.Denied.
374.By publishing false statements about its services on the subject website, the Defendant
PISSED engages in deceptive and unfair practices.
375.Denied.
376.Additionally, through their Terms and Conditions posted on their subject website,
Defendant PISSED states that it will not publish false, defamatory, inaccurate or
other types of statements.
377.Denied.
378.Defendant PISSED knowingly and intentionally violates this policy and allows false,
defamatory and inaccurate statements about ROCA on its subject website.
379.Denied.
380.Statements on PissedConsumer.com about ROCA include, but are not limited to:
1. A. This product sucks. It's expensive, horrible to drink & doesn't do nothing (See
Review #506944 by anonymous).
2. B. This business is a total fraud. BEWARE! (See Review #490848 by anonymous).
3. C. Roca Labs Got scammed and sick from this JUNK (See Review #482648 by
anonymous).
4. D. Roca Labs Run dont walk away from this one! SCAM!! (See Review #487885
by anonymous).
5. E. The Company is full of lies and deceit (See Review #482585 by anonymous).
6. F. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE. They are CROOKS (See Review #480448 by
anonymous).
7. G. Roca Labs Dont buy anything from Roca Lab they just sell a regular shake they
are stealing your money (See Review #475672 by anonymous).
8. H. I have a friend working in the warehouse of this product, he told me that is
unsanitary they dont use gloves and hair nets to assemble the
packages which comes with containers and spoons, and the product is
a fraud doesnt work! (See Review #475672 by anonymous).
9. I. Roca Labs is a SCAM (See Review #432655 by anonymous).
10. J. Roca Labs Product and company are PURE SCAM (See Review #413698 by
anonymous).
11. K. You have a better chance of feeling full if you swallowed a glass of liquid cement
and let it harden in your stomach. Do not waste your time, energy or
money on them. (See Review #413698 by anonymous). (SeeExhibit
F for Content/Postings on PissedConsumer.com)
public into thinking a relationship exists between ROCA and Defendant PISSED.
413. Denied.
414.Defendant PISSED created the subdomain www.rocalabs.pissedconsumer.com in an
effort to deceive the public and search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo!.
415.Denied.
416.The use of the subdomain rocalabs.pissedconsumer.com is akin to brand piracy or
identity theft and is done by Defendant PISSED to increase revenues.
417.Denied.
418.According to Site Dossier, pissedconsumer.com has more than 12,000 sites on the
domain. In comparison, Nytimes.com has approximately 500 sites, Target.com
has 123 sites, and People.com has 46 sites.
419.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
420.The sole purpose of this vast network of sites is to deceive the public so that they visit
PissedConsumer.com and generate more profit for Defendant PISSED.
421.Denied.
422.Defendant PISSED also sells reputation management to businesses, whereby
Defendant PISSED will not create a deceptive subdomain if it is paid. Essentially,
Defendant PISSED engage in a business scheme that is akin to blackmail this is
all accomplished under the guise of reputation management.
423.Denied.
424.Defendant PISSED attempted to sell reputation management services to ROCA.
425.Denied.
426.By using subdomains and then charging businesses for the removal of a subdomain,
Defendant PISSED engages in deceptive and unfair practices.
427.Denied.
428.Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 501.211(1), anyone aggrieved by a violation of
the FDUTPA may bring a claim under FDUTPA to enjoin a party that has
violated, is violating, or is likely to violate FDUTPA.
429.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
430.As a result of Defendant PISSEDs unfair and deceptive practices, ROCA has
incurred damages.
431.Denied.
432.Pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 501.211(2) provides that any action brought by an
aggrieved party, wherein such party has suffered a loss as a result of violation of
FDUTPA, such party may recover actual damages, plus attorneys fees and court
costs.
433.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
434.
437.ROCA realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 213 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant CONSUMER OPINION CORP.
(OPINION) for Tortious Interference with Rocas Contractual Relationship with
ROCAs clients as follows:
438.Defendant reincorporate the responses to the allegations of paragraphs 1 through
213.
439.ROCA has a valid contractual relationship with its customers to purchase weight loss
products at a significant discount.
440.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
441.As partial consideration for the discounted price, ROCAs customers contractually agree
(subject contract) to the following language:
1. A. You agree that regardless of your outcome, you WILL NOT speak, publish, print,
blog or write negatively about The Product or The Company in any
way
2. B. Any violation of this provision of the Agreement is deemed a material breach and
you agree that The Company has no adequate remedy at law. You
further consent to and agree to entry of an injunction by a Court of
competent jurisdiction in enforcement of your violation of this term
and condition (SeeExhibit A).
442.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
443.The subject contract further includes a provision that the customer will pay full price for
the product should they violate this term.
444.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
445.ROCAs customers willingly entered into this subject contract and willingly received the
discount by making their purchase.
446.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
447.Upon information and belief, ROCAs customers have posted anonymously on
Defendant Opinion subject website PissedConsumer.com (SeeExhibit F).
448.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
449.Defendant OPINION knows the identity of ROCAs customers that have posted negative
comments on their subject website, but Defendant OPINION has refused to
identify same to ROCA.
450.Denied.
451.ROCA has notified Defendant OPINION of the subject terms of ROCAs contractual
relationship with its customers (Seenotice attached as Exhibit G).
452.Denied.
453.Evidence of the Defendant OPINIONs knowledge of said contractual terms is further
reflected through posts on its subject website including: EVERYONE
INTERESTED IN THIS PRODUCT PLEASE READ ROCA LABS terms and
conditions agreement that they claim everyone must agree to when ordering the
product!!!!!! MANY fees involved, such as the agreement NOT to COMMENT
NEGATIVELY OR full price of product will be due which is $1,580, disputing
future transactions (with your debit/credit card) fee up to $3,200 and commenting
negatively on web defamation/slander fee of $100,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (See
Review #485660 by anonymous part of Composite Exhibit F).
454.Denied.
455.Defendant OPINION intended to convince and induce ROCAs customers to breach their
contract with ROCA by posting negative comments on their subject website and
in exchange Defendant OPINION misrepresented it would resolve the customers
problem with ROCA.
456.Denied.
457.Defendant OPINION encouraged ROCAs customers to get your whole issue resolved
and share your experience with the world in direct breach of ROCAs contractual
relationship.
458. Denied.
459.Defendant OPINION in fact announced to the world via Twitter statements about
ROCA, but did nothing to resolve the issue between ROCA and its customers.
460.Denied.
461.Defendant OPINION was not authorized nor has any legal right to claim privilege for
inducing the breach of ROCA and its customers valid contractual agreement.
462.Denied.
463.Defendant OPINION has through selective posting of negative comments on the subject
website intentionally, willfully, wantonly and maliciously induced customers of
Roca to breach their present and possible future dealings with ROCA which has
and will continue to have a major detrimental economic impact on the services
and reputation of ROCA.
464.Denied.
465.Defendant OPINION makes no equivocations to alert the reader that the statements
posted on its website are merely opinion. Rather, OPINION intentionally,
willfully ,wantonly and maliciously induces existing and potential customers to
believe specific factual statements posted by OPINION about ROCAS services
are true when in fact OPINION knew or should have known such statements
where untrue and with a intentional disregard for the truth posted the same which
caused serious irreputible damage to ROCAs reputation and business.
466.Denied.
467.As a direct and proximate result of Defendant OPINIONs actions, ROCAs customers
breached their valid contract by placing negative postings on
PissedConsumer.com.
468.Denied.
469.As a direct and proximate result of Defendant OPINIONs intentional and unjustified
interference, ROCA has suffered nonmonetary and monetary damages.
470.Denied.
471.
506.ROCA realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 243 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant CONSUMER OPINION CORP
(Opinion) for Tortious Interference with ROCAs Prospective Economic
Relationships as follows:
507.Defendants reincorporate the responses to the allegations of paragraphs 1 through
245.
508.ROCA derives it revenues through online sales of its product to consumers looking to
lose weight.
509.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
510.ROCA has an actual prospective economic relationship with internet users that search for
ROCA and its products on search engines.
511.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
512.ROCAs consumer view the prominent internet displays of Defendant OPINION via its
subject website, PissedConsumer.com, Tweets posted by Pissed Consumer, and
other social media postings (Facebook, YouTube, etc.) and/or visit
PissedConsumer.com.
513.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
514.ROCA had an actual prospective economic relationship with numerous consumers
including but not limited to: Roger Mealey, Jr., Shellie Brady, Angela Harnage,
LaTanya Barreno, Roswitha Stone, and Kim Tarmann (collectively Interfered
Customers).
515.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
516.Defendant OPINION is aware of the existence of ROCAs prospective economic
relationship with internet users who desire to purchase ROCAs weight loss
products.
517.Denied.
518.Defendant OPINION, by and through its agents, servants, employees, whom acted
within the course and scope of their employment and/or at the direction of
Defendant OPINION and at all times in the interest of Defendant OPINION,
intentionally solicits and interferes with ROCAs prospective economic
relationship with customers by actively soliciting, and then coauthoring negative
posts and tweets against ROCA on its subject website.
519.Denied.
520.Defendant OPINION generates revenues from multiple avenues including, but not
limited to: (1) developing, creating, publishing and marketing online content (2)
advertising (3) maintaining a web platform for third party users/subscribers to
post content (4) transmitting and disseminating said content throughout the
internet (5) selling/leasing a portion of its internet sites to third parties (6)
operating a service to resolve complaints for consumers and (7) selling online
reputation management services to individuals and business.
521.Denied.
522.Interfered Customers have refused to order or cancelled orders from ROCA as a direct
and proximate result of Defendant OPINIONs intentional interference with said
relationships via Defendant OPINIONs negative postings against ROCA on its
subject website and Tweets.
523.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
524.The Interfered Customers indicated their willingness to purchase weight loss products
from ROCA (i.e. enter purchase order agreements).
525.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
526.ROCA would have sold products to the Interfered Customers (entered into our purchase
order agreement), however the Interfered Customers indicated that they would not
purchase ROCAs products because of negative reviews on Defendant
OPINIONs subject website and/or Tweets by Defendant.
527.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
528.Defendant OPINION was not authorized nor has any legal right to claim privilege for
inducing the disruption of ROCA and its prospective customers economic
relationship.
529.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
530.As a direct and proximate result of the Defendant OPINIONs intentional and unjustified
interference, ROCA has suffered nonmonetary and monetary damages.
531.Denied.
532.
535.ROCA realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 256 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant OPINION CORP d/b/a
PissedConsumer.com (Pissed) for Tortious Interference with ROCAs
Prospective Customer Economic Relationships as follows:
536.Defendants reincorporate the responses to the allegations of paragraphs 1 through
258.
537.ROCA derives it revenues through online sales of its product to consumers looking to
lose weight.
538.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
539.ROCA has an actual prospective economic relationship with internet users that search for
ROCA and its products on search engines.
540.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
541.ROCAs consumer view the prominent internet displays of Defendant PISSED via its
552.Denied.
553.The Interfered Customers indicated their willingness to purchase weight loss products
from ROCA (i.e. enter purchase order agreements).
554.Denied.
555.ROCA would have sold products to the Interfered Customers (entered into our purchase
order agreement), however the Interfered Customers indicated that they would not
purchase ROCAs products because negative reviews on Defendant PISSEDs
subject website or Tweets.
556. Denied.
557.Defendant PISSED was not authorized nor has any legal right to claim privilege for
inducing the disruption of ROCA and its prospective customers economic
relationship.
558.Denied.
559.As a direct and proximate result of the Defendant PISSEDs intentional and unjustified
interference, ROCA has suffered nonmonetary and monetary damages.
560.Denied.
561.
564.Roca realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 269 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant CONSUMER OPINION CORP.
(OPINION) for Defamation via PissedConsumer.com as follows:
565.Defendants reincorporate the responses to the allegations of paragraphs 1 through
271.
566.Statements that tend to injure ones business may be charged as defamatory.
567.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
malicious statements.
587.Denied.
588.ROCAs losses include, without limitation, the failure of ROCA to sell its product to
numerous identifiable potential customers as well as significant lost revenues
from other potential customers.
589.Denied.
590.The above alleged statements contained in the General Allegations herein were seen and
read by potentially millions of people who reside in Florida and elsewhere.
591.Denied.
592.According to Defendant OPINION the statement about claimed and average losses had
160,000 views (Seegraphic above).
593.Denied.
594.Defendant OPINION authored, coauthored, generated or published these statements with
the knowledge that they were false or with reckless disregard as to their truth and
falsity.
595.Denied.
596.In the event that Defendant OPINION is a considered to be a media outlet, it is alleged
that Defendant OPINION acted without reasonable care as to the truth or falsity
of its statements, and that actual damages were sustained by ROCA.
597.Denied.
598.
634.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
635.Communications that describe ones conduct, characteristics or condition as
incompatible with the appropriate exercise of ones business or trade qualifies as
defamation per se.
636.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
637.The statements which were authored by Defendant OPINION and placed on Twitter,
which impute the unsatisfactory conduct, characteristics and conditions of ROCA
constitute defamatory statements concerning ROCA per se.
638.Denied.
639.These statements as previously detailed throughout the General Allegations herein,
include but are not limited to:
1. A. @RocaLabs Dont buy anything from Roca Labs they just sell a regular shake
2. B. Doesnt Work!!! I cant believe I really thought this would work! Save your money
3. C. WILL NOT PROCESS PROMISED REFUND, LIED TO BY CUSTOMER
SERVICE AGENTS REGARDING PROMISED REFUND (See
Exhibit E)
640.Denied.
641. In addition to the Statements contained in the General Allegations, Defendant made or
caused to be made numerous additional defamatory Tweets about ROCA,
including the following:
1. A. Some fucker put Roca Labs shit in my kids candy bag.
2. B. Roca Labs filed a SLAPP suit against us.
3. C. If you think censorious asshats should get slapped around, then toss a few bucks
at the fight against Roca Labs.
642.Denied.
643.Defendant OPINION, directly and through its agents, used Twitter as a means to
disseminate false and malicious statements about ROCA.
644.Denied.
645.Defendants relied upon a series of agents and affiliates to further disseminate its Twitter
messages by causing them to be retweeted and favored, as well as allowing their
agents to make statements of their on on their behalf (See example below).
646.Denied.
647.Defendants relied upon select media companies to republish Defendant OPINIONs false
defamed ROCA and further grant temporary and permanent injunctive relief
against the violating conduct, and award ROCA LABS, INC. with an amount fair
and just to account for its money damages in excess of one million dollars
($1,000,000.00), interest, reasonable attorneys fees, and costs incurred herein,
and for such other relief as this court deems just and proper.
666.COUNT X
667.DEFAMATION AGAINST OPINION CORP VIA TWITTER
668.ROCA realleges and incorporates the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 317 as though
fully set forth herein and sues Defendant OPINION CORP d/b/a
PissedConsumer.com (PISSED) for Defamation via Twitter as follows:
669.Defendants reincorporate the responses to the allegations of paragraphs 1 through
319.
670.Statements that tend to injure ones business may be charged as defamatory.
671.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
672.Communications that describe ones conduct, characteristics or condition as
incompatible with the appropriate exercise of ones business or trade qualifies as
defamation per se.
673.Denied as a legal conclusion. To the extent the allegations are factual, they are
denied.
674.The statements which were authored by Defendant PISSED and placed on Twitter, which
impute the unsatisfactory conduct, characteristics and conditions of ROCA
constitute defamatory statements concerning ROCA per se.
675.Denied.
676.These statements as previously detailed throughout the General Allegations herein,
include but are not limited to:
1. A. @RocaLabs Dont buy anything from Roca Labs they just sell a regular shake
2. B. Doesnt Work!!! I cant believe I really thought this would work! Save your money
3. C. WILL NOT PROCESS PROMISED REFUND, LIED TO BY CUSTOMER
SERVICE AGENTS REGARDING PROMISED REFUND (See
Exhibit E)
677.Denied.
678.The statements authored and Tweeted by Defendant PISSED are false in their entirety.
679.Denied.
680.All of the false statements are defamatory and libelous on their face.
681.Denied.
682.To the best of ROCAs knowledge, Defendant PISSED has never purchased products
from ROCA, tested or tried any of our products, had any communication with
anyone at ROCA about ordering our products, or have been refused a refund.
683.Admitted.
684.ROCA has suffered significant loss of reputation as well as business opportunities as a
direct and proximate result of Defendant PISSEDs false, reckless, wrongful and
malicious statements.
685.Denied.
686.The losses include, without limitation, the failure of ROCA to sell its product to
numerous identifiable potential customers as well as significant lost revenues
from other potential customers.
687.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
688.The above alleged statements were seen and read by potentially millions of people who
reside in Florida and elsewhere.
689.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
690.Defendant PISSED made these statements with the knowledge that they were false or
with reckless disregard as to their truth and falsity.
691.Denied.
692.In the event that Defendant PISSED is a considered to be a media outlet, it is alleged that
Defendant PISSED acted without reasonable care as to the truth or falsity of its
statements, and that actual damages were sustained by ROCA.
693.Denied.
694.
701.Denied.
702.The Defendants, by and through their agents, servants and employees, own, maintain
and control the website PissedConsumer.com.
703.Denied.
704.The Defendants, by and through their agents, servants, and employees have authored,
coauthored and/ or codeveloped negative complaints with users against
ROCA and
PissedConsumer.com and
Twitter.
705.Denied.
706.The Defendants, by and through their agents, servants and employees fail to verify
their posted negative internet content against ROCA that Defendants
author,
potential customers.
709.Denied.
710.The Defendants conduct has directly and proximately caused ROCA to continue to
accrue monetary damages and present ongoing damages to ROCAs reputation.
711.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
724.There is a bona fide, actual dispute between the parties based on the Defendants refusal
to provide the alleged dissatisfied customer information to ROCA so that
ROCA can verify the veracity of said content. 7
725.Denied.
726.There is a bona fide, actual dispute between the parties whether the Defendants in fact
author, coauthor and/or develop the negative content against
ROCA via
727.Denied.
728.ROCA seeks relief in order to enforce contractual/legal rights and not to merely seek
legal advice from this Honorable Court.
729.Denied.
730.ROCAs right to recovery is dependent upon the Courts finding of facts and/or
application of same to Florida law.
731.Denied.
732.As a result of this dispute, it has become necessary for the Plaintiff, Roca, to retain
services of counsel.
733.Defendants are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth or falsity of the corresponding averment. Consequently, this
averment is denied and strict proof demanded.
734.Defendants are obligated to pay a reasonable fee for the undersigned services in
bringing this action, plus necessary costs.
735.Denied.
736.Defendants interests in this declaration of rights are actual, present, adverse and
antagonistic of fact and/or law to ROCAs interests.
737.Denied.
738.WHEREFORE Plaintiff, ROCA, requests the Court to:
1. A. Take jurisdiction of the subject matter and parties hereto.
2. B. Determine applicable law, including the provision of Florida Statutes that
apply to the parties.
3. C. Declare that the Defendants have violated FDUTPA against ROCA.
4. D. Declare that the Defendants have intentionally tortiously interfered with
ROCAs contractual agreements with customers.
5. E. Declare that the Defendants have intentionally tortiously interfered with
ROCAs economic relationship with consumers.
6. F. Declare that the Defendants have defamed ROCA.
Denied.
15.
16.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff ROCA further demands entry of judgment ag
ainst Defendants for all damages, attorneys fees, and costs.