Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. v. John A. Miller, D/B/A Miller & Company

AINSWORTH, Circuit Judge:

In this diversity libel action, defendant Dun & Bradstreet appeals from an adverse money judgment of $25,000 ($10,-000 general damages and $15,000 punitive damages) entered on a jury verdict for plaintiff. We reverse on the ground that it was error for the District Court to deny defendant’s motions for a directed verdict and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

Appellee John A. Miller is engaged as a sales agent and manufacturers’ agent in the business of buying, selling, and trading- new and used machinery and parts for heavy construction and allied fields under…