Libel-Proof Entity - Mike Rinder

At 17:25 in this interview Mike Rinder mentions that the Church of Scientology is now probably a “Libel-Proof Entity”. This is in reference to the “Libel-Proof Plaintiff Doctrine” whereby a defendant loses grounds for libel once their general reputation reaches a certain low point in public opinion.

This was mentioned in the Harvard Law Review in 1985 but I expect the concept is much older:

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I wonder if LRH had been advised early on that it was important to not let ANY negative views of him or Scientology go unsuppressed because he had a closing window before the cumulative negative PR would constitute the basis for evoking the Libel-Proof Plaintiff Doctrine after which he and the church would themselves become Fair Game?

Also of interest, at 43:35 Mike talks about the potential impact of Going Clear’s Academy Award’s nomination. Members of the Academy are real people with real personal opinions. I have to wonder how Scientology’s decades old attempts at proselytizing members of the performing arts industry and accumulating Hollywood real estate might be reflected in the Academy’s vote?

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Libel-Proof Entity - Mike Rinder