Business Law - Limited Purpose Public Figures
OFFICE MEMORANDUM 3
Question Presented
Under California defamation law, does a business owner become a limited-purpose public figure for the purpose of a defamation claim when the business owner has contributed to an organization headed by a gubernatorial candidate, published two one-page articles supporting the candidate in a business newsletter and Web site, and anonymously supported the candidate in an Internet chat-room debate?
Brief Answer
No. Under California defamation law, an individual does not become a limited-purpose public figure for the purpose of a defamation claim unless there is a public controversy, the individual has voluntarily attempted to enter the forefront of the controversy to influence its resolution, the defamation is significantly related to the individual's participation in the public controversy, and the individual has sufficient access to media with which to contradict the defamatory statement
Based on similar California cases, even if there......
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Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)
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