First Part

Currently, an extremely popular movie star won a trial against his ex-wife for defamation. His wife was also revealed to be a famous movie star. According to her former husband, he claimed that his wife ruined his image in a post column in Washington. The post stated that she said her husband had physically abused her. After being confronted by her husband and his attorneys about this, the wife replied, stating that it was a set up. She claimed that her former husbands lawyer set her up and ruined her image instead. After the debate, the husband came out on top, winning $10 million dollars while the wife was given $2 million.

Please answer the questions below:

Please explain what a tort is and how it applies to business law?

Please tell us whether the parties in the above example were accused of torts. If so, then how and what torts specifically?

Is defamation considered an intentional tort or negligent tort? Please explain how?

Look into the case of New York Times v. Sullivan and tell me how the case relates to the case with the movie stars. Please provide a source as a reference.

What is the malic standard, and does it apply to the two movie stars cases?

Do you think the current level of defamation should be higher for famous people and public figures or should it be the same as it is for us? Explain.