California’s 1st District Court of Appeal brushed aside claims Wednesday that Overstock.com tried to gag a financial analysis company when it sued for libel two years ago.
In doing so, the court allowed online retailer Overstock.com to continue its case against Gradient Analytics, a company that publishes reports on public companies for institutional investors, and one of its clients. The unanimous decision rejected Gradient’s attempt to get the complaint thrown out as a SLAPP, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, upholding Marin County Superior Court Judge Vernon Smith.
