11/6 – A California appellate court has affirmed the dismissal of OneTaste’s defamation lawsuit against Netflix over statements in the documentary Orgasm Inc.: The Story of OneTaste, ruling the wellness company failed to show Netflix acted with actual malice. OneTaste claimed the film falsely implied it condoned violence and that former employee Ayries Blanck was raped and abused within the organization. Netflix moved to strike the suit under California’s anti-SLAPP law, citing its reliance on interviews, news reporting, documentary research, and outreach to OneTaste, including repeated attempts to secure interviews with founder Nicole Daedone.

The court held that OneTaste’s denials and competing narratives did not establish Netflix knowingly aired falsehoods or recklessly disregarded the truth. Declarations from Blanck’s associates, the director’s offer to compensate Blanck, and evidence OneTaste said it provided were insufficient to infer malice. The panel emphasized that Netflix had no reason to doubt Blanck’s allegations, especially amid parallel reporting and criminal proceedings involving OneTaste leadership. The dismissal was therefore upheld.