SEI’s lawsuit against me – Updates and Court Filings Here

[pocketaces]

I wanted to create a thread to let everyone know what is happening with the lawsuit that SEI filed against me. I am Jason Hammonds, the defendant in this complaint. It has been very difficult for me not to air my personal feelings and anger by all of this, but please understand that there is only so much I can say (on the advice of my attorney and with the knowledge that SEI’s lawyers are monitoring everything posted on this and other forums).

As I previously posted, SEI sued me in Arizona federal court for alleged product disparagement due to comments I made on the M14TFL forum while waiting for SEI to deliver several receivers that I had on order. I retained an attorney, and just recently he filed a motion to dismiss SEI’s case against me (links to all the documents are below). I wish I could discuss the documents with you and the reasons for dismissal raised by my attorney, but like I said, anything I say here will likely be read by SEI’s lawyers and potentially used against me in the lawsuit.

I will be posting the motion to dismiss on other forums that I visit – if you want to do the same, or to link to this website, you’re definitely free to do so (all of these documents are publicly available). I will use this thread to keep everyone updated on SEI’s response and all further court filings.

I’m sorry for any distraction caused by this situation, but I feel strongly that this is an issue that should be openly discussed. Thank you everyone for your support and consideration while I deal with this.

SEI Complaint filed in Arizona District Court: 08/28/13
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0XyOXhO5LcXS2lwWERPNi1fd3c/edit?usp=sharing

Main Dismissal Motion: 09/30/13
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0XyOXhO5LcXa3ZuSjM3bnI4cTQ/edit?usp=sharing

Supporting Document (letter from SEI’s attorney) for motion reference:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0XyOXhO5LcXSEIxd0Z1OFRGcDA/edit?usp=sharing

 

[deersniper]

Aren't lawsuits fun? I got one that will beat that lol

How much are they suing for and what did you say to cause this ?

 

[Will_Power]

How much are they suing for and what did you say to cause this ?

I only vaguely remember, but I heard about this on another forum.

Something pretty minor, all things considered.

And to think, I had forgotten all about this and almost bought a Smith Vortex flash hider today!

Guess I'm going with the PWS Triad instead, then.

 

[Graham]

Thanks for the update.

 

[RyanSMT]

Aren't lawsuits fun? I got one that will beat that lol

Please share!
Love the legal drama.

 

[KYS]

Man, hope you get this resolved quickly. It's a shame that SEI has chose to walk down this path.

 

[wakajawaka]

Tag, for future drama...

 

[Unknown]

It isn't Mr. Hammond's statements or actions that would cause me to reconsider the wisdom of doing business with SEI, rather, it is SEI's own actions that bring me to the conclusion that I would rather do business with a different company.

 

[thrusty]

It's a shame things went this route. Hopefully things will be thrown out and court fees won't break your back.

SEI's actions will be a factor in my purchasing decisions...if a company is willing to sue its user base then what's the point of supporting them.

 

[wvfarrier]

Really? A lawsuit over an internet posting???? WTF????

 

[Temp9]

It's a shame things went this route. Hopefully things will be thrown out and court fees won't break your back.

SEI's actions will be a factor in my purchasing decisions...if a company is willing to sue its user base then what's the point of supporting them.

Agreed. I definitely won't be buying any Smith products. Why the hell would they sue their customer? To send a warning to others that might bad-mouth their products? Makes no sense to me. With the gun community as vocal as it is, I see this going the same way as Dick's....

 

[lilharcher]

AGREED! Dang, I hope I'm not sued for expressing my opinion.....

Not buying any more SEI products either.

It's a shame things went this route. Hopefully things will be thrown out and court fees won't break your back.

SEI's actions will be a factor in my purchasing decisions...if a company is willing to sue its user base then what's the point of supporting them.

 

[M14_Shooter]

I read this in its entirety. On page 9, footnotes, this motion mentions Hammonds Declaration as Exhibit A but it isn't attached with the rest of the documents. Shouldn't we see that as well?

 

[SpookM14]

Been following this on the M14 forum as well and it looks like SEI got their "legal advice" from are you smarter than a 5th grader!!!

 

[pinsandpitons]

Been following this on the M14 forum as well and it looks like SEI got their "legal advice" from are you smarter than a 5th grader!!!

I miss that show. "If you sue your customers, you might be a...."

 

[Dtarget]

Dont know if this lawsuit is the reason, but it looks like Noveske no longer lists the vortex as their standard FH.

 

[19Scout77]

Dont know if this lawsuit is the reason, but it looks like Noveske no longer lists the vortex as their standard FH.

I heard from a completely unreliable source that Noveske dropped the Vortex because Ron Smith got caught blowing a goat!

 

[-Nick-]

I heard from a completely unreliable source that Noveske dropped the Vortex because Ron Smith got caught blowing a goat!

That is libel and defamatory. You'll be hearing from the Goat's attorney shortly...

 

[Sniper Uncle]

Really? A lawsuit over an internet posting???? WTF????

Every one knows that "if it is on the internet it has to be true." After, I am a French Model, "Uhmm, Bongiorno..."

 

[RyanSMT]

I miss that show. "If you sue your customers, you might be a...."

So what about when an individual sues a big company for libel...

 

[Graham]

SEI’s lawsuit against me – Updates and Court Filings Here

So what about when an individual sues a big company for libel...

There's a big difference between appearing to be the underdog, and appearing simply to be a bully.

Of course, having either credible facts or a credible legal theory is an asset in either situation.

 

[Chemguy]

I won't be buying anything from SEI based on their reaction to this situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[66427vette]

What is the deal with the lwrc lawsuit?

So what about when an individual sues a big company for libel... like Corby Hall against LWRCI? We used to do business with both not anymore. And have started keeping up with that debacal. Definately more entertaining than this SEI deal!

 

[Name Enough]

It's amazing - SEI has managed to screw themselves buy aggravating a large portion of their customer base. I could see this if they were the only show in town but and however there are other vendors that also do a good job and they will probably rise to the occasion and want to fill a gap and take market share.

 

[pawprint2]

Wow! I would never have guessed how many people (on this string alone) were "just about to buy from SEI", but have now changed their minds! I guess it's just a matter of time before they go out of business. Does anyone have a prediction on the "going out of business sale"? There might be some really good stuff for really cheap. I wonder if the govt. is going to be able to buy all the stuff they've contracted for, as it looks like SEI is about to be a distant memory. Some of you guys, the experts in this matter, what is the likely time frame for their demise?

 

[Surgikill]

Wow! I would never have guessed how many people (on this string alone) were "just about to buy from SEI", but have now changed their minds! I guess it's just a matter of time before they go out of business. Does anyone have a prediction on the "going out of business sale"? There might be some really good stuff for really cheap. I wonder if the govt. is going to be able to buy all the stuff they've contracted for, as it looks like SEI is about to be a distant memory. Some of you guys, the experts in this matter, what is the likely time frame for their demise?

Sarcasm doesn't work over the internet, bud.

Sent from GS3 Synergy

 

[RyanSMT]

What is the deal with the lwrc lawsuit?

I dont have a lot of info, would like to get a copy of the filings.

 

[FALex]

wait, wait, wait. I am not feeling like reading the legal docs, so Cliff's Notes...tell me if I'm wrong, please?

Guy A criticizes Company B's products over internet forum.

Company B sues Guy A for libel?

Is that the issue?

If it is, stop the planet. I want off.

 

[Name Enough]

wait, wait, wait. I am not feeling like reading the legal docs, so Cliff's Notes...tell me if I'm wrong, please?

Guy A criticizes Company B's products over internet forum.

Company B sues Guy A for libel?

Is that the issue?

If it is, stop the planet. I want off.

That's how I understood it too???

 

[Eat_Beef]

wait, wait, wait. I am not feeling like reading the legal docs, so Cliff's Notes...tell me if I'm wrong, please?

Guy A criticizes Company B's products over internet forum.

Company B sues Guy A for libel?

Is that the issue?

If it is, stop the planet. I want off.

You really need to read the docs. It's not like reading legalese, it's more like watching "Earnest goes to Lawschool".

 

[KChen986]

That's a solid Motion to Dismiss. Bravo, Becker & Poliakoff.

 

[cal50]

I was never a Smith fan or customer before their cutting edge act of suing an indirect customer / user of their product.
Its nice when an idiot speaks up or does something to easily identify themselves.

 

[Ballista One]

The number of companies and individuals SEI has sued is long and distinguished. I hope you're able to beat SEI like a cheap piñata.

 

[ajwcotton]

Well I read all the involved documents and the motion to dismiss looks a hell if a lot more professional than the original suit.

 

[LanceS4803]

I read through SEI's complaint. From the phrases and language ("because the quality can't be beat", "put a deposit down", among others), parts sound like it was written by a high school student. (Am I now libel?)
I read this type stuff almost everyday, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
Of note, SEI alleges they lost sales due to the remark. Now, their monthly/annual sales figures will be made public. THAT will be interesting.

 

[DropinLead]

Wait.... So how did they find out who you are from a forum?

Hope tons of people don't go to a public library, create a new account with artificial details and then criticize SEI.

 

[Texar2]

Wow. I had talked my friend into buying a smith but looks like he will be getting the lbr or springfield now. No more smith risers for me.

 

[BCP]

Wait.... So how did they find out who you are from a forum?

There was a bunch of drama but basically he (the defendant) called up SEI several times asking about his order and they gave him the runaround so he posted about it on M14forum. Not hard to connect the dots as to who it was especially since his username was basically his real name.

 

[DropinLead]

Got it ok, makes sense. Note to self... steer clear.

 

[Aflick]

There was a bunch of drama but basically he (the defendant) called up SEI several times asking about his order and they gave him the runaround so he posted about it on M14forum. Not hard to connect the dots as to who it was especially since his username was basically his real name.

Pocketaces is almost his real name?

 

[LawnMM]

There's a concept in lawsuits called judgment proof. To sue you have to show loss, so tracing a sales decline to a comment on an internet forum would be reaching. Even if you could and you sued for the "one billion dollars!" in lost sales, if the guy you are suing makes 30k a year you aren't going to get it anyway. That's why lawyers like to sue people with deep pockets like corporations and cities, they get paid. Suing a guy that said your company has lousy service on the Internet is an exercise in futility.

 

[Cstanm70]

They suing for defamation of character? Unless it was a blatant lie these charges should be dropped asap. Thoughts are with you brother.

 

[Graham]

SEI’s lawsuit against me – Updates and Court Filings Here

..........

 

[Graham]

SEI’s lawsuit against me – Updates and Court Filings Here

.......,...

 

[Graham]

SEI’s lawsuit against me – Updates and Court Filings Here

..,.............

 

[vincent317]

Just a general observation from a recreational shooter. Seems to me SEI has done more damage to themselves by initiating this lawsuit than anything one individual could have said about them or one of their products. I never would have known what was originally posted had it not been for the forum traffic on multiple sites regarding this lawsuit. A lot of folks are saying they will not do business with SEI because of the lawsuit not the OP's original comments.

 

[Heretic]

SEI's belief that one man can cause them so much financial damage is preposterous. Their behavior is the reason people should not do business with them. After they pay Hammonds' attorney fees, they should sever all ties with their own.

 

[pinsandpitons]

SEI's belief that one man can cause them so much financial damage is preposterous. ...

No it's totally correct, it's just that they are pointing the finger at the wrong man.

 

[Cuckler]

Every one knows that "if it is on the internet it has to be true." After, I am a French Model, "Uhmm, Bongiorno..."

Dude, love that commercial...