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Old 02-04-2013, 02:07 PM   #31
Elfwreck
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The issues I could see being relevant:

If Penguin *knew* he was lying, or strongly suspected it, there's a potential case for fraud, for them marketing known fiction as nonfic. (ETA: Since the book was published more than 10 years ago, I don't think this is likely.)

If the companies he sued for libel, and committed perjury to win those lawsuits, want to sue for defamation/libel, they may have a case, depending on how the book portrays them.

If the book was marketed as "Lance Armstrong, Noble Bike Hero Who Was Totally Falsely Accused of Doping," the public may have a class-action suit grounds for refunds based on fraud. (This could be true even if Penguin didn't know; they're supposed to confirm their marketing choices.)

If, however, the book was marketed as "Lance Armstrong, Bike Celebrity, Tells His Story," I don't think there's much of a case for the public.

Comparing those last two would involve marketing specialists insisting that the flyers/ad copy did-or-did-not state or imply specific things. The blurb text at B&N says "This is the story of one man's journey through triumph, tragedy, transformation, and transcendance. It is the story of Lance Armstrong, the world-famous two-time winner of the Tour de France, and his fight against cancer."

I don't see an implication of "this man never used illegal drugs to win and never lied under oath."

Last edited by Elfwreck; 02-04-2013 at 02:11 PM.
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