Understanding Defamation Terms:
Libel: Written or published false statements that damage a person's reputation.
Disparagement: False and injurious statements specifically about a business's goods or services.
Estoppel: A legal principle preventing someone from arguing something contrary to a claim made or implied by their previous actions or statements.
Slander: Spoken false statements that damage a person's reputation.
Case Details:
XYZ's competitor made a statement on a television program, implying written or published format.
The statement falsely claimed that XYZ knowingly used a defective component, harming their reputation.
Conclusion: Since the statement was made in a public and broadcast format, it falls under libel, which covers defamatory statements made in a written or published manner.
Reference:
Legal definitions and distinctions from Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute Case law examples related to defamation, specifically libel