Us Business Environment Law

Chao Gao

2012/9/20

Citation: GEORGE S. MAY INTERNATIONAL CO.  v. XCENTRIC VENTURES, LLC, 409 F. Supp. 2d 1052 (N.D. Ill. 2006).

Plaintiff and Defendant: The plaintiff/appellant is GEORGE S. MAY INTERNATIONAL COMPANY The defendant/appellee is XCENTRIC VENTURES, LLC, RIPOFFREPORT.COM,

BADBUSINESSBUREAU.COM, ED MAGEDSON, VARIOUS ABC COMPANIES, JANE and JOHN DOES.

Facts: George S. May International Company ("May") is a management consulting firm which is incorporated, organized, and existing under the laws of Delaware. May's principle place of business is Park Ridge, Illinois. Xcentric Ventures, LLC ("Xcentric") is an Arizona limited liability corporation located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is listed as the owner of RipOffReport.com and BadBusinessBureau.com (the "Sites"). Ed Magedson [**2] ("Magedson") is the owner and manager of Xcentric and the Sites. Magesdon is a citizen of Arizona. The Sites style themselves as consumer advocate resources. 1 Individuals accessing the Sites can search for particular companies by [*1054] name, or search specific industries or states. Site visitors may then read postings made by disgruntled consumers explaining how they were allegedly "ripped off" by various companies. Visitors can also post their own comments about various companies. The owners maintained a website where visitors could post comments about their problems with particular companies. Various visitors posted negative comments about the consulting firm, accusing the firm and its officers and employees of criminal activity.

Issues: A.is there no operative difference between the limits imposed by the Illinois Constitution and the federal limit ations on personal junisdiction? B. can plaintiff show more than the harm was felt in Illinois?

Holding: A. Yes Illinois Constitution can use civil procedure to find more information. B. Yes, plaintiff must show more harm was felt in Illinois.

Reasoning: As the owners had sold books through the website to...