Law Commons^™

Gossip And Gore: A Ghoulish Journey Into A Philosophical Thicket, Sean Hannon Williams

Michigan Law Review

A review of Don Herzog, Defaming the Dead.

Defamatory Opinions And The Restatement (Second) Of Torts, George C. Christie

Michigan Law Review

This Article will focus on one important aspect of the Institute's work: the question of whether opinion, including ridicule, can be an independent basis of an action for defamation. Before undertaking that inquiry, however, some basic concepts regarding defamatory opinions must be understood. First, a statement of opinion can, of course, often be reasonably construed to imply the existence of facts that would justify the opinion. If a direct statement of those facts would be defamatory, then the statement of an opinion that implies the existence of those false facts would be defamatory and capable of supporting an action for …

Tort Liability Of A University For Libelous Material In Student Publications, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

While attention will occasionally be drawn to the impact of the New York Times privilege, this Note largely assumes that a defamed plaintiff is capable of overcoming the constitutional barriers imposed by New York Times and its progeny. In other words, the assumption is made that libelous statements either fall outside the constitutional privilege or that the plaintiff can demonstrate actual malice in the student authors or editors. The Note will analyze the traditional theories which may be invoked to establish the university's liability for defamatory material in student publications. First, a range of student newspaper-university relationships will be examined …

Torts-Libel-Constitutionality Of Retraction Statute Eliminating General Damages Recovery, John W. Galanis

Michigan Law Review

Following publication of allegedly libelous statements made by defendants during a televised news broadcast, plaintiff commenced an action to recover damages. Defendants' motion to strike the allegations of general and punitive damages was granted by the trial court since the complaint did not allege that defendants intended to defame plaintiff, or that defendants refused to publish a requested retraction of a non-intentional libel, both of which are conditions precedent to recovery of such damages under the Oregon statute. Plaintiff failed to plead further and judgment was entered for defendants. On appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court, held, affirmed. The …

Torts - Libel And Slander - Absolute Privilege For Press Release Of Lower Federal Officer, James S. Leigh S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Respondents, former employees of the Office of Rent Stabilization, brought a libel action against petitioner, the acting director of the office. The alleged libel was contained in a press release issued by petitioner in which he announced his intention to suspend respondents because of acts for which the office had been severely criticized by the Senate and press. The district court instructed the jury to find for plaintiffs if the release was defamatory. On appeal from judgment for plaintiff, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia affirmed. On certiorari, the United States Supreme Court remanded for consideration of …

Torts - Privacy - Collection Method, Frederic Brace S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff disputed the debt which the defendant corporation asserted against her. Defendant made no attempt to recover this asserted debt by legal action but instead sent a letter to the personnel director of plaintiff's employer. This letter stated that plaintiff had refused to cooperate in reaching an amicable settlement and requested the assistance of the personnel director in collecting this "honest debt." Plaintiff was then summoned to the office of her superior and informed that the letter would be placed in her file and remain there until the asserted indebtedness had been settled. Plaintiff sought damages for an invasion of …

Torts - Libel And Slander - Effect Of An Unsustained Plea Of Truth, Frank D. Jacobs

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, superintendent of a state training school for boys, was removed from that office by his superior in the state department of social welfare. The defendant corporation, publisher and owner of two newspapers in the state, published certain articles in its newspapers relating to plaintiff's conduct in office, his management of the school, and his removal from office. Plaintiff brought action of libel. Defendant, in addition to a plea of general issue, filed a plea of truth. The trial court instructed the jury that where truth is pleaded as a defense, but is not successful, such plea will sustain an …

Torts - Libel And Slander - Calling A Person A Communist As Slader Per Se, Ross Kipka S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In an action for slander, plaintiff alleged that on three separate occasions defendant had orally called or referred to plaintiff as a communist. The court rendered judgment against the defendant, holding that calling a person a communist is slander per se. On appeal, held, affirmed. Since membership in the Communist Party is a felony under Pennsylvania statute, falsely referring to a person as being a communist is slander per se. Solosko v. Paxton, (Pa. 1956) 119 A. (2d) 230.

Interstate Publication, William L. Prosser

Michigan Law Review

It is an amazing and a sobering thought that by the utterance of a single ill-considered word a man may today commit forty-nine separate torts, for each of which he may be severally liable, in as many jurisdictions within the continental limits of the United States alone, and without regard to any additional liability he may incur in the possessions and territories and in foreign countries. It calls to mind at once in all solemnity those first words that ever were sent over an interstate wire, and later to the moon. What, indeed, hath God wrought!

Little less astonishing, although …

Torts-Invasion Of Right Of Privacy By Postcard Advertising, James S. Taylor

Michigan Law Review

To promote the sale of merchandise, defendant retail clothing store mailed a series of postcards to prospective customers, one of which was the plaintiff. The cards, in feminine handwriting, read, ''Please call WAbash 1943 and ask for Carolyn." Upon reading this the plaintiff's wife, who had intercepted the card, concluded that her husband was having a clandestine love affair with another woman, and when the plaintiff was unable to explain "Carolyn," she left him. Subsequent inquiry revealed that "Carolyn" was one of the defendant's employees and that the card was an advertising stunt Plaintiff filed suit on the theory that …

Declaratory Judgments- Extension Of Protection Against Injuries To Personality

Michigan Law Review

The widespread acceptance of the declaratory judgment as a statutory supplement to common law and equitable remedies has raised some searching questions as to the relation between right and remedy in Anglo-American law. The declaratory judgment can operate in anticipation of specific wrongs that would be a basis for ordinary legal or equitable relief. It does not depend for its efficacy on the use of the familiar remedies of law and equity - that is, on damages, specific restitution in replevin and ejectment, and the injunction and specific enforcement in equity. The question may therefore be asked whether the development …

Torts - Libel By Talking Pictures - Rasputin Case

Michigan Law Review

The motion picture production of "Rasputin The Mad Monk" portrayed an episode in which Rasputin seduced a young lady of the Russian court. Alleging that the character of the seduced was patterned after her own so that she had been defamed, the plaintiff brought an action of libel against the producers. Held, the plaintiff was entitled to damages of what, in this country, would amount to about one hundred and twenty-six thousand dollars. Youssoupov. v. M-G-M Pictures, England (1934).

Recent Important Decisions

Michigan Law Review

A collection of recent important court decisions.