California Civil Code 3294(c) defines malice, oppression and fraud as follows: Malice means: Conduct which is intended by the defendant to cause injury to the plaintiff, or Despicable conduct which is carried on by the defendant with a willful and conscious disregard of the rights or safety of others. Oppression means: Despicable conduct that subjects a person to cruel and unjust hardship in conscious disregard of that person's rights. Fraud means: An intentional misrepresentation, deceit, or concealment of a material fact known to the defendant, Made with the intention on the part of the defendant of thereby depriving a person of property or legal rights or otherwise causing injury.