Defamation

Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Judicial Statements Privilege in Court-Ordered Arbitration Defamation Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent case, the Kentucky Supreme Court underscored the importance of the “Judicial Statements Privilege” in protecting participants in court proceedings from defamation lawsuits related to their statements made during such proceedings. This ruling sets a significant precedent and reinforces the jurisdiction’s commitment to uphold the rights of parties within court-ordered arbitrations. The lawsuit…

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Bankruptcy Law’s “Willful and Malicious Injury” Provision Takes Center Stage in Celebrity Defamation Cases

Pieter Gunst04 mins

One might find it challenging to draw a line connecting rapper Cardi B and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, but a provision in federal bankruptcy law that has little public attention could significantly impact their financial situations by millions of dollars. Recently, Jones was forbidden by a judge from leveraging bankruptcy to avert the payment of…

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Alex Jones Denied Bankruptcy Relief, Remains Liable for $1.1 Billion Sandy Hook Defamation Judgments

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, known for his infamous denial and deceitful conjectures about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, found his request for relief under bankruptcy rebuffed by a judge. He now remains accountable for a total of $1.1 billion in defamation judgments, as two state courts—Texas and Connecticut—have categorically declared his conduct as…

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Jersey City Mayor Advocates Exemptions from Marijuana Law for Specific Professions

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a recent development, the mayor of Jersey City expressed his desire to establish certain exemptions from a New Jersey law that permits employees to use legal marijuana outside their working hours. This proposed amendment is targeted towards specific professions, although further details are not immediately available. The proposal is another instance in the ongoing…

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Starbucks Sues Employee Union Over Trademark Infringement Amidst Israel-Palestine Controversy

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In an unfolding legal dispute, Starbucks Corp. has filed a lawsuit against the union representing its workers – Starbucks Workers United. This lawsuit arises from the use of the company’s name, logos, and other intellectual property by the union, especially after the group expressed support for Palestine on various social media platforms. The coffee chain…

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Fox Legal Chief Criticizes Judge’s ‘Illogical’ Rulings in Dominion Defamation Case

Pieter Gunst02 mins

This Monday, Fox Corporation’s legal chief, Viet Dinh, criticized the handling of the Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit, stating that the judge issued ‘illogical’ rulings that impeded the company’s defense. The comments arose at a recent speaking event at Harvard University by Dinh, a 1993 graduate of the esteemed law school. However, the Fox legal…

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Meta Implements Measures to Combat Disinformation and Escalation amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced measures on Friday to address disinformation and potential escalations of violence surrounding the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. This announcement comes after the European Union called for social media platforms including Meta, Youtube, and Tiktok to adopt stronger actions against the spread of misinformation. In…

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AI Chatbot Defamation Lawsuit: Radio Host Challenges OpenAI’s Dismissal Proposal

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Georgia-based radio host, Mark Walters, is taking issue with OpenAI LLC and has contested the tech firm’s proposal to dismiss his defamation lawsuit. Walters alleges that OpenAI’s artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, spread false information about him to a journalist. Rather than killing the lawsuit, the broadcaster insists that the matter be transferred to a state…

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Supreme Court Reinstates Biden’s Ghost Gun Regulations: Legal Ramifications and Public Responses

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a series of recent legal developments, the Supreme Court has overruled lower court decisions that initially struck down the Biden administration’s ghost gun regulations. The original rulings, now negated, had considerable implications for the interpretation of the Federalist Papers and untraceable firearm rights. Justice Thomas’s current stance on this issue has been drawing significant…

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Fox Settles for $787.5 Million with Dominion Voting Systems: A Strategic Business Decision

Pieter Gunst03 mins

As the recent US election cycle loomed, Fox Corp. reached a hefty $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems Inc. Fox’s Chief Legal and Policy Officer, Viet Dinh, says the settlement was necessary after ‘a series of errors’ by a Delaware judge essentially forced the corporation’s decision, citing it as a strategic business decision. This…

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WaPo Seeks Sanctions Against Ex-Rep. Nunes for Alleged Evidence Wiping in Defamation Lawsuit

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In an ongoing defamation lawsuit that puts The Washington Post and former California Rep. Devin Nunes in the spotlight, the newspaper recently requested a D.C. federal judge to levy sanctions against Nunes. This development stems from allegations that Nunes wiped evidence pertinent to the case. The suit originates from a November 2020 piece published by…

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Exploring Controversial Legal Cases: Katy Perry’s Dispute, Biglaw Solidarity, and Self-Representation Spectacles

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In an intriguing turn of events, Katy Perry seemingly wants to take the possession of “His House”, a decision that has been raising a few eyebrows across the legal fraternity. Some speculate that there might be some exploitative motives at play, provoking thoughtful discussions in legal circles. For more details on the budding story, follow…

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Germany Outlaws Pro-Palestine Group Samidoun Amid Ongoing Israel Conflict

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Recently, Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that Germany will ban the public endorsement of pro-Palestine group, Samidoun, among the rising tensions between Israel and Hamas. Addressing the Bundestag, Scholz announced that the Interior Ministry would enforce prohibitions on both Hamas and Samidoun within Germany’s borders, accusing the latter of openly supporting Israeli terrorism. The decision to…

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MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Opts for Pro Se Representation in Defamation Lawsuits

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Mike Lindell, often associated with his MyPillow enterprise, recently made the daring announcement to represent himself, pro se, in his pending defamation lawsuits. This decision followed his move to disenfranchise his legal representatives without reimbursement for their substantial efforts thus far. Above the Law reported this development last week. Following this unexpected announcement, his long-term…

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California Bolsters Defamation Privilege Protections for Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Complainants

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant move towards further addressing workplace harassment and discrimination, California has recently extended its defamation privilege protections to those lodging complaints in these domains. The revamped legislation comes into effect following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing into law of Assembly Bill (AB) No. 933 on October 10, 2023. Previously, the existing legal structure within…

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Supreme Court Upholds ‘Actual Malice’ Standard in Landmark Media Libel Decision

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a significant ruling, the US Supreme Court denied a petition seeking to revise the stringent ‘actual malice’ standard required for libel suits against media outlets, as reported by Kimberly Strawbridge Robinson, a noteworthy legal affairs contributor for Bloomberg Law. The ruling affirms the consequential precedent established in New York Times Company v. Sullivan ….

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Myanmar Supreme Court Dismisses Aung San Suu Kyi’s Conviction Appeals in Corruption Cases

Pieter Gunst04 mins

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Myanmar dismissed special motions for appeal pertaining to six corruption convictions of former State Counsellor and democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. This dismissal is a marked setback for Suu Kyi, whose convictions include violations of the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Communication Law, and section 505(b) of the…

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