Defamation and Reputation Management
All companies and individuals are concerned
about their public reputation and image, and there are many ways of
managing and protecting that image using legal services. These
services have broadened as self-regulation of the publishing
industry has increased. That said, bringing a court case to
protect a reputation remains the strongest, yet most challenging,
way to react to a published statement.
London is one of the most popular places in
the world to bring defamation claims, because of its reputation for
claimant-friendly laws and court funding arrangements. While
there are a variety of possible defenses available to publishers,
assessment of any work to be published for this risk is
essential.
In other parts of the world, notably in the
US, freedom of expression overrides reputation, so there is no
point in any parallel legal right protecting reputation. At the
same time as focusing on the outward-looking reputation management,
the law is increasingly enforcing the protection of private rights,
particularly through human rights legislation. Again, the
media are the target, but there is an equal right of freedom of
expression which publishers can use to ensure fair protection of
their material.
Against this complexity of possible lines of
attack or shields of defense, SNR Denton can provide the highest
level of advice and counsel.
We have worked with some of the largest media
companies on their rights and obligations in respect of
reputational and privacy issues and have successfully represented
content providers, print and electronic, fending off those who
would punish or intimidate them.
Our breadth of court experience combined with
our knowledge of the media industry uniquely positions us to advise
all sides of the debate, from pre-publication through to court
action, judgment or settlement.
Areas of Focus:
- Control of public image
- Testimonials and endorsements, celebrity and image licensing,
product merchandising
- Prevention of access to private and family lives
- Right to Freedom of Expression
- Libel and related torts
- Freedom of Information, access to courts, defense of reporters
and publishers against subpoenas
- Media and entertainment industry issues
- Defense of content providers against assertions of defamation
and invasion of privacy
- Sports law