Libel and Defamation
Discussions center on whether false accusations or generated content qualify as libel or defamation, including lawsuits, truth as a defense, actual malice, and legal remedies.
Activity Over Time
Top Contributors
Keywords
Sample Comments
If it's _actually_ false, they can be sued for libel.
IANAL, but they can make a case for defamation and libel on this.
Why don't they lawyer up, and sue them for defmation/libel?
Sounds like a great way to get hit with a libel case.
Friendly warning that libel is bad and illegal, even if it's hard to prosecute.
Why the need to outlaw more stuff? Claiming false stuff about people is already illegal - it's called defamation. Which is what allows him to sue.
Wouldn't that be plain old defamation?
You are wildly off base to the point that you seem like a shill. Learn about tort law and the first amendment. Besides it not being injurious or necessarily false, It involves a public official so good luck proving actual malice.
It's not libel if it's true! But it may be some sort of fraud / infringement.
You can sue for anything, so yes, but in this thought experiment they would lose the lawsuit. In order for a defamation/libel lawsuit to be successful, the statement must be untrue.