FAQs - Newsmax and OANN Lawsuits

Why are you fling these lawsuits?
Newsmax and OANN deliberately and repeatedly published defamatory statements about Smartmatic that injured its reputation for secure, reliable and auditable election technology and software. The defendants also made serious false accusations about Smartmatic’s role in the 2020 U.S. election that harmed its reputation. We are seeking to hold them accountable for their actions.  

What is Smartmatic claiming?
Each of the defendants engaged in a disinformation campaign against Smartmatic that included publishing dozens of factually inaccurate statements about the company and its business. Newsmax and OANN did so for their own financial gain. 

Why did you wait until now?
Filing a lawsuit is not something we do lightly. We took the time we needed to evaluate the applicable legal principles and each defendant’s actions.

Will Smartmatic file any additional lawsuits?
Smartmatic is keeping all its legal options open.

Where were the complaints filed?
The complaint against OANN was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The Newsmax complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware.

How are these filings the same or different from your previous claims against Fox News and other defendants?
While there was some similarity between the actions of the various defendants, each defendant defamed us on different dates and in different ways. 

In your previous filings you claimed damages of $2.7 billion.  What damage are you claiming in these cases? 
Actual and punitive damages owed by each of the defendants will be determined at trial. We very much look forward to explaining our losses to a jury.

Will you seek to combine these cases with your previous claims into one trial?
Each case is likely to proceed in its existing jurisdiction.

You sent cease-and-desist letters to all of the defendants.  Did any of them reply?
We have received no satisfactory responses from any defendant, hence the lawsuits.