Opinion
April 24, 1978
In an action, inter alia, to recover damages for libel, defendants appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County, dated March 17, 1977, which granted plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction enjoining defendants from displaying an allegedly tortious sign in their shop window and from making certain allegedly tortious statements regarding plaintiff's business establishment. Order reversed, with $50 costs and disbursements, and motion denied. Plaintiff alleges a prima facie tort as the underlying claim in support of the preliminary injunction. However, the affidavits of the opposing parties present conflicting views concerning the key question of evil motive or intent to do harm, proof of which is requisite to the ultimate success of plaintiff's action (see Beardsley v Kilmer, 236 N.Y. 80). That issue may not be resolved without a trial at which each side will be able to present evidence. A preliminary injunction is a drastic remedy and should be granted with caution, and only when required by urgent situations or grave necessity, and then upon the clearest evidence (Russian Church of Our Lady of Kazan v Dunkel, 34 A.D.2d 799). Hopkins, J.P., Martuscello, Titone and Rabin, JJ., concur.