Early in the assessment of a defamation action the question arises whether the plaintiff is a “public figure.” Public figures face a more challenging standard of proof than private people.
There are two types of public figures in defamation law. The high-profile public figure (such as the Beatles or Bill Gates) is so thoroughly famous or infamous that he or she attains public figure status for all purposes.
An individual becomes a “limited purpose” public figure if the person voluntarily injects him or herself – or is drawn into – a clear-cut public controversy such as dwindling water supplies or the care and sheltering of animals. By doing so, the person becomes a public figure in a number of libel and slander cases. Usually the initial dispute centers on whether the plaintiff is a limited public figure.