{"id":2400,"date":"2022-03-01T22:00:21","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T22:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.legalvision.com.au\/?p=2400"},"modified":"2022-06-24T05:00:11","modified_gmt":"2022-06-24T04:00:11","slug":"defamation-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/disputes-litigation\/defamation-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Know if Someone Has Defamed My Business?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are operating a business, one of your assets is your business\u2019 brand. Because of this, it is important to develop and protect it from defamation. Defamation is a false statement that affects your business’ reputation. You can also categorise a defamatory statement as either libel or slander. This article will outline how to know if someone has defamed your business and what you can do about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Defamation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Defamation law in England and Wales requires that someone makes a false statement about you or your business. This statement must result in a loss of reputation or harm to your character. Importantly, the false statement must be presented as a fact rather than a mere opinion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As an example, imagine that someone leaves a review of your apple-selling business that says: ‘These apples suck!’ This will not be a defamatory statement because it is only an opinion. However, imagine instead that someone leaves a review which says: ‘These apples gave me serious food poisoning and I almost died after eating them!’ In this case, this will be a defamatory statement (provided, of course, that it was not true). Indeed, if you can show in court that the statement was true, it will not amount to defamation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, it is worth noting the difference between defamation, libel and slander. People often use these terms interchangeably, but they all have different meanings within the law. Defamation is the umbrella term. It refers to when a false statement is made about someone that causes a loss of reputation. On the other hand, libel and slander are both types of defamation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Libel?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Libel refers to false or defamatory statements which are written down. For example, a letter, email, text message or social media post could amount to libel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\n

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