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ARTICLE · 10 MAY 2017

Well SLAPP Me Silly! Resolute Forest Products vs. Greenpeace

Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
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"'Greenpeace' is a global fraud." So begin the allegations in the colourful preliminary statement of the Complaint filed in 2016 in the U.S. District Court in Georgia on behalf of Resolute Forest...

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
John Stefaniuk
John Stefaniuk
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"'Greenpeace' is a global fraud." So begin the allegations in the colourful preliminary statement of the Complaint filed in 2016 in the U.S. District Court in Georgia on behalf of Resolute Forest Products, Inc. in a $300 million anti-racketeering action against Greenpeace International and others. This followed the commencement by Resolute of an action against Greenpeace Canada in 2013 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.  The (kinder, gentler) Canadian Statement of Claim seeks $7 million in general and punitive damages for "defamation, malicious falsehood and intentional interference with economic relations".

This all started with a very public 2012 campaign by Greenpeace Canada against Resolute's forestry practices in Canada. Among other things, Greenpeace Canada's publications alleged that Resolute was in breach of its environmental protection obligations. Resolute presented its facts to Greenpeace Canada, and obtained a retraction and apology. According to

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