Internet Defamation For Businesses And Professionals

Defamatory content on social media can be devastating for business and professionals. A disparaging post that goes viral on Instagram or a review on Yelp or Google that took the author a few minutes to write can destroy years of hard-earned goodwill. This article offers a brief guide on internet defamation and the legal options available to respond and seek redress.

DEFAMATION – A PRIMER

Defamation is a publicly made false statement of fact that harms another's reputation. It is intrinsic to this definition that the statement is false. If a statement is disparaging but true, then it is not defamatory. Businesses have reputations that can be defamed as much as individuals do and are therefore entitled to protection under defamation law.