I have previously mentioned lawsuits filed by women because of slights to their reputation. In Nov. 2005, I mentioned a 1905 case of a woman suing for $10,000 ( $208,000 in 2005 dollars) because of a stolen kiss. In November 2006, I mentioned a 1906 suit filed for a broken engagement and damages of $25,000 ($560,000 in CPI adjusted 2005 dollars) and property of $2,000.

In the March 12, 2007 NYT is another reported stolen kiss, this time in Newburg, New York:

John J. Scannell...is to be sued for $15,000 by Mrs. Laura White of Central Valley, N.Y.

Mrs. White's mother was employed as housekeeper on the Scannell estate, and the young woman, who is 25 years old, was with her in October. While they were alone in the house, Mrs. White will say, Mr. Scannell kissed her three times. Mrs. White at once notified her mother, they packed up their belongings, and left immediately, going to Central Valley, where they had friends.

$15,000 in 1907 would be $321,570 in 2005 dollars.

All that follows is, of course, tounge-in-cheek.

We now have three observations on the cost of reputation:

1905: kiss = $208,000
1906: engagement = $560,000
1907: 3 kisses = $107,190 / kiss

At least as far as kisses go, the damages incurred seem to be falling. Assuming all reputations are equal and all stolen kisses are equal, the two year reduction on the damages incurred by a kiss was approximately 51%.

This "trend" would put the damages of a stolen kiss at a penny by 1950.

Today?