Mueller v. Collectors Universe, Inc. CA4/3
This appeal arises from the denial of an anti-SLAPP motion. (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.16; the anti-SLAPP statute.) Plaintiffs Todd Mueller and his company, Todd Mueller Autographs, LLC (collectively, Mueller), allege in their complaint that defendants have conspired to push Mueller out of the autographed memorabilia market by issuing fraudulent opinions regarding the authenticity of autographs on the products sold by Mueller. Collectors Universe, Inc. (Collectors), one of five defendants, filed an anti-SLAPP motion. Another defendant, R&R Auction Company, LLC (R&R), joined in the motion and we have consolidated the two appeals arising from the denial of the motion.
The issue boils down to this: Do opinions about the authenticity of celebrity autographs concern a public issue? We conclude they do not, and thus affirm the order.
Comments on Mueller v. Collectors Universe, Inc. CA4/3