This lawsuit stems from causes of action for alleged defamation, defamation per se and interference with business relations, as the real life “Kramer” – Kenny Kramer – who served as the inspiration for the colorful Cosmo Kramer on the comedy series Seinfeld, alleges that former Seinfeld writer/comedian Defendant Fred Stoller’s book contained “false and malicious” statements that caused damage to the Plaintiff’s Manhattan reality bus tour around New York City.
According to Stoller’s memoir, Plaintiff’s employees would make Seinfeld television show references, such as “Not that there’s anything wrong with that” (a reference to the gay and lesbian community) when travelling through Greenwich Village, which Plaintiff considered to be defamatory and damaging to his business.
Despite this, on July 15, 2014, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe granted Defendant Stoller’s motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) by issuing an order to dismiss the complaint in its entirety.
For the Court’s entire decision, click here.