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Chapter VII: Libel
Identification
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A plaintiff must prove that the alleged defamatory publication refers
to him or her.
Relatives cannot sue on behalf of a deceased person. Governmental
entities cannot bring libel claims, nor can members of large groups
(usually 25 or more). However, if the statement can be interpreted as
referring to a particular person in a group, that person can sue.
Also, if the offending information pertains to a majority of the
members of a small group, any member of the group has standing to sue.
A corporation may bring a libel claim if the alleged defamatory
statement raises doubts about the honesty, credit, efficiency or
prestige of that business. However, if the statements refer only to
corporate officers, the corporation cannot litigate on their behalf.
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