Statement that author was 'ignored' not libelous
Article Abstract:
The US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled in Norse v. Henry Holt & Co. that biographer Ted Morgan's description of poet Harold Norse as 'ignored and unpublished' in 1963 did not constitute libel and was just an opinion. The description occurred in Morgan's biography of William S. Burroughs, 'Literary Outlaw.' The court ruled that since Norse was a 'limited purpose public figure,' he had to prove falsity for a libel action, and that his allegations about a false factual assertion did not suffice.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1993
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Financial column on 'sour' sugar substitute stock not libelous
Article Abstract:
The US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Biospherics, Inc. v. Forbes, Inc. that a short article in Forbes magazine advising against investing in Biospherics stock did not constitute defamation. The Court ruled that the article represented an opinion and not an assertion of fact. Biospherics claimed its stock had significantly fallen as a result of the article. Forbes argued the article was protected by the 1st Amendment.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1998
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