Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. v. O'NEIL

HAMILTON, Justice.

Plaintiff-respondent, Truman O’Neil, brought this suit for libel against defendant-petitioner, Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., because as a part of its credit reporting services defendant had erroneously reported by “Special Notice” that plaintiff had filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. The “Special Notice” had been sent to fourteen of defendant’s subscribers who had requested credit information about plaintiff *898during the preceding twelve months. Defendant alleged conditional privilege as a defense. At the close of plaintiff’s evidence the trial court ordered an instructed…