Many excellent points.
I will make a few points:
1) I would first suggest that a threat of a lawsuit is one thing, actual legal action quite different. So, while you are not advocating this, Amir, let's be careful to not over-react.
2) Good idea for ASR, as a significant platform, is to formally state its review philosophy and, if manufacturer's disagree with points in the review, how best they reply or provide counterpoint, and how ASR will allow that process to occur. That would make for a good video on your part.
3) I would benchmark how other review entities, from auto mags to Consumer Reports, prepare and fortify themselves against manufacturer pushback.
4) I am not a lawyer, but I am sure that a number Forum members are, and I would hope that some would offer pro-bono guidance or assistance. I have been on many non-profit boards, and obtained and relied on many pro-bono efforts.
5) I would imagine you have much of this covered, Amir, given your intelligence and work for a large corporation, and owning a smaller company of your own, but probably a good time to ensure ASR is incorporated in the best 5021(c)(3), LLC or other way to ensure you the greatest degree of protection. Hopefully someone on the Forum could provide any advice in that area, if you have not already done that long ago.
6) The last thing a company such as Tekton can afford is a squabble and bad press or PR in and around forums and audio media. As a one-time Fortune 500 corporate communications and corporate reputation expert, I would have never advised them to take such action. it is foolish and ego driven. The aggressive low road is not a road often well taken. Therefore, in response, a good policy for ASR may to ensure that any response to such bullying, while potentially necessary in regard to its degree of aggressiveness, be as fact-based, logical and sensible as possible, and reviewed by PR and legal experts.
7) One of the most effective means of support to a particular POV or process is a third-party statement or endorsement. In this case, I doubt Klippel would want to jump into a polemic, as not wise for them, but a highly-qualified third party who is expert in Klippel could provide extensive expert support, just as expert third parties are used as witnesses in trials.
8) It might be a good thing to clarify the reason and purpose of the Forum member vote aspect of the reviews, its intention to be a fun, informative and personal way for members to provide their rating of a product, and what that implies and does not imply.