Business Law Bus/415

Juan Carlos Ruiz

University of Phoenix

Business Law BUS/415

Leah Peer

November 02, 2010

3.5

Business Ethics The National Enquirer, Inc., is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Florida. It publishes the National Enquirer, a national weekly newspaper with a total circulation of more than 5 million copies. About 600,000 copies, almost twice the level in the next highest state, are sold in California. The National Enquirer published an article about Shirley Jones, an entertainer. Jones, a California resident, filed a lawsuit in California state court against the National Enquirer and its president, who was a resident of Florida. The California lawsuit sought damages for alleged defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Calder v. Jones, 465 U.S. 783, 104 Sect. 1482, 79 L.Ed.2d 804, Web 1984 U.S. Lexis 4 (Supreme Court of the United States)

1. What kind of paper is the National Enquirer?

2. Was it ethical for the National Enquirer to try to avoid suit in California?

3. Are the defendants subject to suit in California? Why or why not?

1. The National Enquirer is a tabloid that is sold in weekly to the nation. The newspaper focuses on public media like movie stars, singers, and athletes. It exposes the celebrities and focuses on their downfalls like divorces, being arrested, and cheating relationship. The entire magazine is based on false truth about celebrity’s personal lives that involved some short of scandal. Most people don’t see these magazines as real news. It is seem as junk mail about things that don’t really matter with our country or communities. This newspaper feeds off the embarrassing scandals like the stories of Mrs. Jones. They printed photos of her saying that she is a sloppy drunk.

2. The National Enquirer was being ethical in avoiding the lawsuit by Mrs. Jones. A personal service of summonses could not be possible so Mrs. Jones should of mailed...