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Defamation

Defamation (libel or slander) is one of the most misunderstood aspects of tort law (which some have discovered the hard way after online posts). These are some of the craziest examples from the files of the True Stella Awards.

110: Be like Mike?

Posted May 26, 2025April 18, 2022 in Categories 2006, Celebrity, Defamation, Dismissed, Not in the Book, Sports, Winner, Withdrawn2 Comments

Stella Case No. 110, Originally Published: 12 July 2006

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Tags Endorsement contract, Nike, Oregon

083: Very Dazed, and Very Confused

Posted May 26, 2025September 6, 2021 in Categories 2004, Defamation, Dishonorable Mention, Dismissed, Media, Not in the Book2 Comments

Stella Case No. 083, Originally Published: 12 January 2005

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Tags Characters, Film, New Mexico, Statute of Limitations

082: A Sharp SLAPP in the Face

Posted May 26, 2025August 30, 2021 in Categories 2004, Defamation, Dishonorable Mention, Media, SLAPP4 Comments

Stella Case No. 082, Originally Published: 1 December 2004

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Tags California, Non-profit, Publisher, Reviews

080: Grave Mistake

Posted May 26, 2025August 16, 2021 in Categories 2004, Defamation, Dishonorable Mention, Short, Status Unknown4 Comments

Stella Case No. 080, Originally Published: 27 October 2004

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Tags Friends, Maine, Rural

073: It Ought to Be a Crime

Posted May 26, 2025June 14, 2021 in Categories 2004, Defamation, Runner Up, Status Unknown

Stella Case No. 073, Originally Published: 5 May 2004

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Tags Joke, New York, Radio Shack, Receipt

055: I’ll Be Your (Subpoena) Server Today

Posted May 26, 2025February 1, 2021 in Categories 2003, Award, Defamation, Media, Police, Publicity Stunt4 Comments

Stella Case No. 055, Originally Published: 18 June 2003

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Tags Pennsylvania, Radio prank

025: Mobius Logic

Posted May 26, 2025September 17, 2020 in Categories 2002, Appealed, Defamation, Dishonorable Mention, Media, Short

Stella Case No. 025, Originally Published: 11 December 2002

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Tags 60 Minutes, Jackpot Justice, Mississippi, Trademark, TV

024: If the Name Fits

Posted May 26, 2025September 14, 2020 in Categories 2002, Defamation, Dismissed, Media, Publicity Stunt, Runner Up, You Decide6 Comments

Stella Case No. 024, Originally Published: 11 December 2002

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Tags Charity, Intellectual Property, Montana, Trademark

015: Free Speech v. Words Reserved for Exclusive Corporate Use

Posted May 26, 2025August 10, 2020 in Categories 2002, Appealed, Countersuit, Defamation, Dishonorable Mention, Dismissed, Foreign5 Comments

Stella Case No. 015, Originally Published: 6 November 2002

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Tags Barbie, California, Federal, GOOHF, Intellectual Property, Mattel, Trademark

012: Pimp Plucked

Posted May 26, 2025July 30, 2020 in Categories 2002, Defamation, Dishonorable Mention, Dismissed, Media, Short, SLAPP

Stella Case No. 012, Originally Published: 16 October 2002

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Tags California, Columnist, Newspaper, Wealthy Plaintiff

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