North Dakota Code 32-44-01 – Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 32-44-01
- Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- third persons: includes all who are not parties to the obligation or transaction concerning which the phrase is used. See North Dakota Code 1-01-30
1. “Agricultural producer” means any person engaged in growing, raising, distributing, or selling an agricultural product, or manufacturing the product for consumer use.
2. “Agricultural product” means any plant or animal, or the product of a plant or animal, grown, raised, distributed, or sold for a commercial purpose. The term also includes any agricultural practices used in the production of such products.
3. “Defamatory statement” means intentional words or conduct which reflects on the character or reputation of another or upon the quality, safety, or value of another’s property in a manner which tends:
a. To lower another in the estimation of the community; b. To deter third persons from dealing with another; or
c. To deter third persons from buying the products of another.
4. “Disseminate” means to publish or otherwise convey a statement to a third party but does not include repeating a false and defamatory statement made by another unless the person repeating the statement knew the statement was false.
5. “False statement” means a statement that either expressly includes a fact or implies a fact as justification for an opinion and the fact is not based upon reasonable and reliable scientific inquiry, data, or facts.
6. “Knowing the statement to be false” means the communicator knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard of whether the statement was false.