Which statement is true regarding defamation and NY long-arm jurisdiction?

• A. Defamation is not a long-arm basis
• B. Defamation is a valid long-arm basis
• C. Defamation requires presence in NY
• D. Defamation requires domicile in NY

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how New York’s long-arm statute handles torts like defamation. Under CPLR 302, a nonresident can be sued in New York for certain acts that either occur in New York or cause injury in New York. Defamation is a tort, and if defamatory statements are published outside New York but injure the plaintiff in New York, that can ground personal jurisdiction in New York. Likewise, defamation published within New York is directly actionable there. The defendant doesn’t have to be present in New York or domiciled there for the court to claim jurisdiction—the injury or the act that causes it in connection with New York is enough to reach out-of-state defendants.

So defamation can serve as a long-arm basis when the defaming conduct causes injury in New York, and it does not require the defendant to be present or domiciled in New York.