Microsoft Corp. v. Yokohama Telecom Corp.

ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY ADJUDICATION

TAYLOR, District Judge.

The court holds the broad wording of California’s privileged publication statute, California Civil Code § 47(d), can accord an absolute privilege to a litigant’s paid newspaper announcement of a lawsuit’s allegations.

I. BACKGROUND

Microsoft Corporation sued defendants for copyright and trademark infringement. Defendant Yokohama counterclaimed, contending it was damaged by an allegedly defamatory paid announcement published by Microsoft in the Shih Chie Jin-pao or World Daily newspaper.

The announcement was directed at computer system…