Every person values the reputation he or she has made for him or herself in a business or profession. Every business values the reputation of its products, services, management team and intellectual property. Nearly 2500 years ago, the Greek philosopher Socrates said “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of”. Ontario law recognizes that a good reputation is built through years of hard work and can be destroyed by false rumours and innuendoes.
The spread of defamatory words is even easier now that the Internet is commonplace. In some circumstances, the Court will award damages in very large amounts for defamatory statements. In specific cases, an injunction might also be ordered to prevent from further defamation. The lawyers of Ellyn Law LLP understand the law and procedure in defamation and libel and slander cases. We act as counsel on cases involving defamatory statements against business, professional and personal reputations. If you or your business, professional association or other group have been defamed or libeled in a newspaper or broadcast or on the Internet you must act quickly as there are very short limitation periods in some cases. Failure to serve written notice of the intention to make a claim within six weeks of publication of the defamatory words may prevent your or business from pursuing its claim. Notice under the Libel and Slander Act takes time to prepare so an immediate reaction is required.