Defamation of other companies - penalty

10-1-116. Defamation of other companies - penalty. It is unlawful for any insurance company doing business in this state, or any officer, director, clerk, employee, or agent thereof, to make, verbally or otherwise, publish, print, distribute, or circulate, or cause the same to be done, or in any way to aid, abet, or encourage the making, printing, publishing, distributing, or circulating of any pamphlet, circular, article, literature, or statement of any kind that is defamatory of any other insurance company doing business in this state, or licensed to sell its capital stock within this state, that contains any false and malicious criticism or false and malicious statement calculated to injure such company in its reputation or business. Any officer, director, clerk, employee, or agent of any insurance company violating the provisions of this section commits a petty offense. Source: L. 2003: Entire article RC&RE, p. 598, � 1, effective July 1. L. 2021: Entire section amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3146, � 107, effective March 1, 2022. Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 10-1-120 as it existed prior to 2002. Cross references: For the penalty for a petty offense, see � 18-1.3-503.