Business Ethics

Business Ethics

Susana Silva

BUS/415 Business Law

November 29, 2011

Robert Hedicke

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 S.Ct. 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? Is a national weekly newspaper, and its main office is in the State of Florida. A large part of its production is backed up from the California residents.

2. Was it ethical for the National Enquirer to try to avoid suit in California? I think that is not ethical because the suit has to be where the accuser resides. Also the California Court had decided that bases on the circulation of 600.000 just in California, meets the criteria for the minimum contacts for the suit to remain in California.

3. Are the defendants subject to suit in California? Why or why not? Yes, I think the defendants may be subject to suit in California, because is convenient for the accuser for the reason that he resides in California. Also because that is where they make a big portion of their revenue.