Supreme Court to Nike: ‘Just Tell the Truth’

What a bunch of crocodile tears! In “Nike Can’t Just Say It, Court Rules” (May 3), about Nike being prohibited by the California Supreme Court from making misleading statements, a Los Angeles corporate lawyer is quoted as saying, “This case has the potential to place a chill on the rights of an employer to defend itself in the court of public opinion.” Except, of course, if the business is telling the truth.

In this case, Nike was caught lying about its onerous overseas labor practices; but if a corporation is telling the truth, why should it worry about lawsuits? Exoneration in a court of law would only bolster a corporation’s image in the “court of public opinion.” Even if unfair lawsuits against corporations start to pile up (something I doubt), businesses could easily punish their adversaries by countersuing for frivolous and malicious harassment--if they are telling the truth.

Philip Leeman

Los Angeles