What is "tortious interference"?

Tortious interference refers to the intentional act of disrupting or harming a business relationship or contractual arrangement between two parties. This can occur when one party intentionally persuades or causes another party to breach a contract or to not fulfill their duties under that agreement, resulting in harm to the other party's business interests.

In the context of this definition, choosing the option that describes tortious interference as an act of intentionally causing harm to a business relationship captures the essence of the legal concept. This type of interference can lead to a tort claim, as it typically involves wrongful conduct that impacts another's economic interests.

The other options do not accurately describe tortious interference. The first option incorrectly frames it as a method of resolving tort claims, which does not align with the concept's focus on interference in business relationships. The third option categorizes it as a defense in breach of contract claims, which misrepresents tortious interference as a defensive rather than offensive action. Finally, the last option speaks to the protection of individual rights, which deviates from the economic and relational harm central to the concept of tortious interference.