The use of 'infamous'

[Tdot]

So I'm the Editor in Chief of a local magazine and in my latest Letter from the Editor I referred to a local socialite type as 'the infamous ..... '

My question is regarding describing someone as infamous when referring to them. Am I in danger of being successfully sued for libel? I don't know the person personally, but everyone I know really doesn't like them whether they've met her or not.

Thanks very much. I work in China but would like the US law perspective please.

 

[justalayman]

do you have any idea of the definition of infamous? You should probably look it up if you have any question. Then figure out if it in itself is defamatory.
Not being liked would not cause a person to be considered infamous.

 

[FlyingRon]

It was a pretty strong rebuke when Franklin Roosevelt used it.

 

[The Occultist]

I work in China but would like the US law perspective please.

Chinese laws are very, very different from that of the US, so I'm a bit confused on why US law would help you. Even in the US, the answer can be different going from state to state (which is why you are asked for the name of your state when you post your question).

 

[swalsh411]

This is straight out of Three Amigos.

 

[Indiana Filer]

This is straight out of Three Amigos.

Infamous means "more than famous"

 

[quincy]

Not really, Indiana.

From Webster's:
infamous -
1. having a very bad reputation; notorious; in disgrace or dishonor.
2. causing or deserving a bad reputation; scandalous; outrageous.
3. In Law: a) punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary (said of certain crimes, usually felonies); b) guilty of such a crime.

infamy -
1. very bad reputation; notoriety; disgrace; dishonor.
2. the quality of being infamous; great wickedness.
3. In Law: loss of reputation and certain civil rights suffered by a person as a result of being convicted of an infamous crime.

In the U.S., a publisher could risk a defamation lawsuit for falsely labeling someone "infamous."

 

[Indiana Filer]

Not really, Indiana.

From Webster's:
infamous -
"

Have you not seen the movie "Three Amigos"? What I posted was a line from the movie in response to Swalsh's comment "This is straight out of Three Amigos."

It's a fun movie!

 

[quincy]

Oops. Sorry.


No, though. I haven't seen the movie.

 

[AlexB18]

So I'm the Editor in Chief of a local magazine and in my latest Letter from the Editor I referred to a local socialite type as 'the infamous ..... '

My question is regarding describing someone as infamous when referring to them. Am I in danger of being successfully sued for libel? I don't know the person personally, but everyone I know really doesn't like them whether they've met her or not.

Thanks very much. I work in China but would like the US law perspective please.

Depends on the state, context, etc... you'd have to be more specific here.