What is the difference between libel and slander? a. both are forms of defamation. b. libel is an offense against another person that can be punished by the law. slander cannot be punished by the law. c. libel is using copyrighted material in a research document; slander is another term for "verification of sources." d. libel is printed words or pictures about a person that are untrue statements of character. slander is spoken words about a person that are untrue statements of character.