What is an example of injurious falsehood?

An example of injurious falsehood involves making a false statement that specifically damages someone's business or product. The correct choice reflects a scenario where a commercial created by one company, Pringles, is able to negatively impact the reputation or sales of another company, Lays, by portraying misleading information about the competitor's product. This can constitute injurious falsehood because it's not just a mere criticism but involves disseminating false information that harms another entity’s financial interests, fostering a claim for damages.

In contrast, while a misleading advertisement might mislead consumers, it does not necessarily target a competitor's reputation in a way that directly qualifies as injurious falsehood. A personal attack in a magazine may damage someone's personal reputation but does not pertain to trade or business implications. Similarly, a rumor about product safety might not meet the high bar required to demonstrate falsehood or intent to harm a specific commercial interest. Thus, the situation represented by the correct choice clearly illustrates injurious falsehood in a business context.