Legal Opinion
Vegod Corp. v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
California Supreme Court
Decided November 29, 1979No. S.F. 23999PublishedCited by 41 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
Opinion
CLARK, J.
In this defamation action the trial court ruled that plaintiffs are “public figures” within the meaning of Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. (1974) 418 U.S. 323 [41 L.Ed.2d 789, 94 S.Ct. 2997] and that actual malice is an essential element of plaintiffs’ cause of action. Plaintiffs conceded they are unable to prove defendants acted with actual malice within the holding of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) 376 U.S. 254 [11 L.Ed.2d 686, 84 S.Ct. 710, 95 A.L.R.2d 1412]. Judgment was granted defendants, and plaintiffs appeal. We reverse.
Plaintiff corporations are engaged in closing…
2Cases cited15 opinions
- New York Times Co. v. SullivanSupreme Court of the United States · 1964
- Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1974
- Boddie v. ConnecticutSupreme Court of the United States · 1971
- Curtis Publishing Co. v. ButtsSupreme Court of the United States · 1967
- Herbert v. LandoSupreme Court of the United States · 1979
10 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by41 opinions
- Brown v. Kelly Broadcasting Co.California Supreme Court · 1989
- Bruno & Stillman, Inc. v. Globe Newspaper Co.Court of Appeals for the First Circuit · 1980
- Steaks Unlimited, Inc. v. Donna Deaner and Wtae-Tv4 and Hearst CorporationCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 1980
- Reader's Digest Assn. v. Superior CourtCalifornia Supreme Court · 1984
- Dairy Stores, Inc. v. Sentinel Publishing Co.Supreme Court of New Jersey · 1986
36 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.