Opinion ID: 76429
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: State law and common law claims

Text: 31 The district court noted that the parties' arguments were the same for all claims and applied its analysis and conclusions in the Lanham Act claim to the state law claims. The state claims stand or fall on state law as applied to their peculiar facts. We vacate the district court's categorical rejection of Hickson's state law claims. Rulings not affected by the error of overlooking the consumer survey evidence are affirmed. 32 We affirm summary judgment on Hickson's tortious interference claim. To prevail on claims of tortious interference with contract or business relationships, a plaintiff must show that a defendant acted improperly, without privilege, and with intent to induce third parties not to enter into or continue business or contractual relations with the plaintiff. Parks v. Multimedia Techs., Inc., 239 Ga.App. 282, 291, 520 S.E.2d 517 (Ga.App.1999). There was no error in the district court's finding that Northern acted in good faith and without an intent to deceive. Hickson, 235 F.Supp.2d at 1360. 33 Truth is a complete defense to libel under Georgia law. As noted, because the district court found that the OUCH! advertisement is literally true, we affirm the summary judgment for Northern on this libel claim. Wolf v. Ramsey, 253 F.Supp.2d 1323, 1349 (N.D.Ga.2003); Watkins v. Laser/Print-Atlanta, Inc., 183 Ga.App. 172, 173, 358 S.E.2d 477 (Ga.App. 1987) (It is axiomatic that truth is an absolute defense in a defamation action, O.C.G.A. § 51-5-6....). 34 We remand the remaining claims for consideration under Georgia law.