Which term describes an intentional false or misleading statement about a plaintiff's product that results in financial damage?

• A. Trade libel
• B. Product disparagement
• C. Invasion of privacy
• D. Slander

Answer: (B)

Product disparagement is a form of commercial defamation centered on false or misleading statements about a product that hurt the plaintiff’s sales or business. The statement must concern the product’s quality or characteristics, be communicated to others, and be known to be false or made with reckless disregard for the truth. Because the harm here is to a product’s reputation and the financial impact on the business, this term best fits the scenario. Trade libel is a related concept and sometimes used interchangeably, but the emphasis in this context is on the product itself. Slander targets a person; invasion of privacy involves wrongful intrusion or disclosure, not false statements about a product.