Torts > Torts Study Buddy > Emanuel Law Outline > Chapter 18. MISCELLANEOUS TORTS
MISCELLANEOUS TORTS
Chapter 18
MISCELLANEOUS TORTS
This chapter covers several torts that have little to do with each other:
Invasion of privacy: The tort of “invasion of privacy” is actually a cluster of four different, but related, torts.
Misappropriation of identity:“Misappropriation of identity” occurs where P’s name or likeness has been used by D for D’s financial benefit, without P’s consent.
Intrusion on solitude:“Intrusion on solitude” occurs where D invades P’s private space in a manner which would be highly offensive to a reasonable person in P’s position.
Publicity of private life: “Publicity of private life” or “public disclosure” occurs where D publicly discloses a non-public detail of P’s private life, where the effect would be highly offensive to a reasonable person in P’s position.
False light: “False light” occurs where D publishes false statements about P which, although not defamatory, would be highly offensive to a reasonable person in P’s position.
Misuse of legal procedure: Three related tort actions protect P’s interest in not being subjected to unwarranted judicial proceedings:
Malicious prosecution: The tort of “malicious prosecution” protects P’s interest in not having wrongfully instigated a criminal proceeding against him.
Wrongful institution of civil proceedings: The tort of “wrongful institution of civil proceedings” is similar to “malicious prosecution,” except that the original proceedings are civil rather than criminal.
Abuse of process: “Abuse of process” occurs where a person involved in criminal or civil proceedings uses various litigation devices (e.g., subpoenas) for improper purposes.
“Business torts”: There are three related torts that protect business interests:
Injurious falsehood: The action for “injurious falsehood” protects P against certain false statements made against his business, product or property (e.g., D makes false statements disparaging P’s goods or business).
Interference with contract: The tort of “interference with contract” protects P’s interest in having others perform existing contracts which they have with her. The claim is against one who induces another to breach a contract with P.
Interference with prospective advantage: If due to D’s interference, P loses the benefits of prospective, potential contracts (as opposed to existing contracts), P can sue for “interference with prospective advantage.”