BizJournals Portfolio
Mar 18 2010 10:59am EDT

Piling On Yelp

More businesses are joining in on a lawsuit against Yelp that alleges the online, user-generated reviews company engaged in a mob-like tactic of rubbing out negative opinions of a company in exchange for a few dollars.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the newest plaintiffs in the case are a Chicago bakery, a California furniture store and a Washington, D.C., restaurant. The original plaintiff in the case is a veterinary hospital in Long Beach, California.

The one company that might be breathing the biggest sigh of relief is Google, which reportedly was set to buy Yelp for $500 million before the deal fell through. Needless to say, the allegations alone would fly in the face of the famous "Do No Evil" mantra.

But even without Google's cash, Yelp still manages to garner fans. U2's Bono and his Elevation Partners venture firm has invested $25 million in the venture, which is allowing the company to hire 200 more employees.


Rick Johnston is an associate editor of Portfolio.com.

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.


Connect With Portfolio.com

Come on, like us—you know you want to.

Follow us and if you're an innovative entrepreneur, we'll return the favor.

Today's top stories, conversation starters, and the back nine business bites.

spotlight on

Slideshows

500 Startups Hits New York

Dave McClure's brainchild makes its way to New York and introduces East Coast money folks to some intriguing new companies. View Slideshow