A Criticism of the Gertz Public Figure/Private Figure Test in the Context of the Corporate Defamation Plaintiff

Authors

John Hilbert

Library of Congress Authority File

http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79122466

Document Type

Comments

Abstract

This Comment examines the development of the law with respect to corporate defamation, with particular focus on the Supreme Court's decision in Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. The author argues that the Court's creation of the public figure/private figure formula is problematic when applied to corporate defamation plaintiffs. The author addresses the various problems presented by this formula in light of the goals of the defamation privilege and proposes various solutions to these problems.

Recommended Citation

John Hilbert, A Criticism of the Gertz Public Figure/Private Figure Test in the Context of the Corporate Defamation Plaintiff, 18 San Diego L. Rev. 721 (1981).
Available at: https://digital.sandiego.edu/sdlr/vol18/iss4/6