[Griff]

Dentist fines patient for posting negative review online, could it happen to you?

Such contracts have become more widespread in recent years. They generally contain a clause that insists clients not post any public comments about the doctor, in return for the doctor not evading federal privacy protections regarding patient information. Some contracts, such as the one used by Makhnevich, go even further, including a clause giving Makhnevich copyright to anything posted online about her.

Lee said he questioned the terms of the contract when he arrived in Makhnevich's office for treatment of a severe toothache and infection, but says he was in agony at the time, and signed it so that he could be treated. "It was a situation of duress," says Lee's lawyer, Paul Alan Levy. "It is outrageous that a patient would have to sign away his constitutionally protected right to get treatment for a toothache," he added.

I'm assuming your deal is actually going better than this, although this case should end well for free speech.