Defamation (Libel/Slander)

Category: legal

A false statement presented as fact that harms the reputation of an individual or business.

Libel is written defamation; slander is spoken. To succeed in a defamation suit, the plaintiff must show the statement was false, published to a third party, and resulted in actual reputational damage. Truth is an absolute defense against these claims.

Common Examples

• The company filed a defamation suit after the competitor knowingly published false claims about the safety of their products.
• Libel is easier to document for court purposes than slander, as the defamatory statement is permanently preserved in a written record.