Strategic lawsuit against public participation

A SLAPP ( acronym for "strategic lawsuit against public participation" to German "strategic lawsuit against public participation " ) is a special form of the action which has the purpose to intimidate critics and to prevent their public criticism directed. You will rarely brought in most cases of companies by private individuals or authorities, against NGOs or individuals who publicly criticize the business practices of the company or the activities of the individual or authority.

The term was created in the 1990s by the two professors Penelope Canan and George W. Pring from the University of Denver. Typically, it 's not about whether the action has a realistic prospect of success, but rather bring the defendant by the feared litigation costs and the high cost of legal proceedings to " voluntarily" cease its activities. A SLAPP may also cause that others are deterred to participate in the debate.