Park West Gallery, an operator of art auctions on dozens of cruise ships, was ordered to pay $500,000 to website Fine Art Registry by a federal jury in Port Huron, Mich.
In a countersuit against Park West, Phoenix-based Fine Art Registry alleged that Park West had created websites with names similar to the registry's to divert readers, reported the Detroit Free Press.
Park West's attorney said he would ask that decision be thrown out, the Free Press said.
Southfield, Mich.-based Park West sued the website for defamation in 2008 for posting articles claiming that Park West's art was overpriced, fake and fraudulent.
A statement on Fine Art Registry's website reads, "There are no words in any language that can express the joy that we at Fine Art Registry are feeling at this time! Joy for the victims of fraud and the freedom of speech! The momentous decision rendered by the jury was historic. Little David has again faced the Giant Goliath, and with one smooth stone stuck him between the eyes."
In 2008, a New York Times article cited customers' complaints that art they had purchased from Park West while on cruise ships was not worth anywhere near the value claimed by Park West auctioneers.