Justin Baldoni’s $250 million lawsuit against US publication faces temporary pause

• Justin Baldoni’s $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times has hit a pause.
• Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the publication’s request to halt discovery.
• Following the ruling, the publication emphasized the significance of press freedom.

Justin Baldoni’s high-profile $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times has hit a temporary pause. Judge Lewis J. Liman has granted the publication’s request to halt discovery while he reviews its motion to dismiss the case, according to court documents filed on March 4.

In his ruling, Liman stated that Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and the other plaintiffs would not face significant harm from the delay. “The Wayfarer Parties are unlikely to be unfairly prejudiced by a stay while the Court decides the pending motion,” he wrote in a five-page order obtained by Deadline.

Liman also noted that The New York Times acted swiftly in its legal response. “The NY Times did not delay filing its motion; it filed the motion within 21 days of being served,” he stated, adding that the court would address the motion “promptly.”

Following the ruling, The New York Times emphasized the significance of press freedom. “We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here,” a spokesperson told Us Weekly.

The outlet has continued to defend its reporting on Blake Lively’s accusations against Baldoni during It Ends With Us production. “Blake Lively raised serious concerns about the way she was treated on the set and after the movie’s release,” a spokesperson previously stated.

For now, The New York Times appears to have the upper hand in the legal battle.

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