libel
The written publication of untrue, defamatory statements that lower a person's
esteem in his or her community and that gives rise to a legal cause of action
against the publisher. Standard commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policies
apply to slander and libel claims made against the insured. Libel is distinguishable
from slander in that libel refers to defamatory statements that are written,
while slander refers to defamatory statements that are spoken.