Negative Site Review

What do you do when someone starts trash-talking?

[Bilbo123]

I've got a problem and I need ideas to help resolve.

I have a website that a competitor posted a negative "review" of on their industry blog.

The "review" completely misrepresents my site, the site's purpose, etc.

My site is very well know in this particular industry and the competitors blog shows up in the same SERPS.

We are affiliates of the same organization and the people at the organization have told them that it's not a true representation of the site. I refuse to stoop to their level, but I need some type of resolution to this.
Do I let it slide and hope it goes away?
Confront the person and risk them posting more trash?

Any ideas?

Free speech is one thing, but misrepresentation is another...

[StupidScript]

In some instances it may even qualify as "libel", against which there are laws ... Send them a "cease and desist" notice requesting removal of the libelous content, and if they refuse or add to it ... sue 'em. It's the American way!

[celgins]

Yeah...I would first contact them and inform them of their erroneous information. Kindly ask that they remove the information and see if they do.

If not, you may want to look into legal options. I know that costs money, but you may lose more money if your site's reputation begins to suffer.

[angelos]

Yes, it's generally known that there's legal protection from such illegal practices as libel and slander. But misrepresentation is a somewhat different situation. Such a competitor may use indirect ways to convey bad (to the competitor's opinion) impression which may not be considered as libelous or slanderous. Unless they are obviously such, I'd recommend you to take a contrary look at this. If your site's competitive in all respects, that competitor's actions may unexpectedly turn out even useful for you in terms of promotion as scandalous popularity is still a popularity.
So, as you said yourself, I'd recommend you to actually let it slide. And probably that will not just go away but turn out to give you some benefits.

Though it's just my personal look at this.