A De(pp) Brief – The Current State Of Defamation Law

There is no doubt that you have come across coverage of the recent celebrity legal battle between actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard. Social media has carefully curated snippets from the trial that have gone viral time and again, captivating viewers at home and turning many into self-elected jurors and legal experts. However, it has become clear that many may not be aware of the underlying legal and policy principles, including with respect to defamation. The definition of "defamation" varies slightly depending on jurisdiction. However, generally it's defined as acting in a manner that damages someone's good reputation (Merriam-Webster). We're here to break it down.