Choice of Law for Multistate Defamation – The State of Affairs as Internet Defamation Beckons
62 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2011
Date Written: January 1, 2003
Abstract
Defamation claims frequently raise potential choice of law issues. This is particularly true when the defamatory statements have been disseminated in several different states. Today the Internet enables anyone with basic computer equipment to become a publisher whose statements can be seen around the world. This phenomenon will undoubtedly add to the number of cases requiring a conflict of laws analysis. This article is primarily a critical survey of the commentary and case law in the United States on choice of law for multistate defamation. Part I focuses on commentary pre-dating the Internet, reflecting numerous suggestions on this issue. It also includes discussion of provisions of the first and second Restatement of Conflict of Laws. Part II surveys and critiques recent cases resolving choice of laws issues under the various approaches now taken by American courts. Part III makes some broader observations on the state of current case law. Finally, Part IV discusses whether choice of law analyses will need to be modified in the context of defamation on the Internet.
Keywords: Choice of Law for Defamation, Multistate Defamation, Restatement of Conflict of Laws
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation