Claw Back: Why the Maine Lobster Defamation Suit Matters for Every Sustainable Menu

Key points

• The Maine lobster industry is suing Monterey Bay Aquarium for defamation after being placed on a sustainability 'Red List' that tells consumers to avoid lobster.
• The First Circuit Court of Appeals expressed doubt that the industry can bypass 'group defamation' laws, which typically protect speakers from being sued by large groups for general opinions.
• A victory for the aquarium would cement the First Amendment rights of sustainability watchdogs, while a victory for the fishers could fundamentally change how environmental ratings are conducted and audited.

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Sources and methodology

Reported from the public datasets below.

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - FTC enforcement actions
• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) - DOJ press releases and filings

All sources Foodie Pundit reports from

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