ShawnR - 10:23 am on Jul 23, 2003 (gmt 0)

No need to mention the company's name in your letter. Their customers will know exactly who you are refering to, or ask if they are interested.

I'm not a lawyer either, but I don't think you are doing anything illegal. You could try a search on the torts of slander and defamation to educate yourself if you want more certainty.

Another way to approach it is by a class action. Instead of asking whether they intended to grant links to the sites, you caould ask if they have noticed if they have been penalised and if their position has deteriorated since the links have been added, and if so if they would be interested in a class action...

Or you could just explain to the SEO company that this is the course of action you are considering, so could they please refund your money ;)

Shawn