Geoffrey Rush has court win against Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper

Updated yesterday at 1:03pm

Geoffrey Rush has been successful in his attempt to stop parts of The Daily Telegraph's defence being heard when his defamation case against the newspaper goes to trial.

The actor launched legal proceedings against the newspaper's owner Nationwide News Pty Ltd after it published articles alleging he engaged in inappropriate behaviour while performing in a 2015 Sydney Theatre Company (STC) production.

The Oscar-winner alleges the articles, which went to print late last year, defame him.

Ahead of the defamation case hearing, Rush's legal team challenged two parts of The Daily Telegraph's defence case and moved to have them struck out.

PHOTO: The articles were published in Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper. (ABC News: Dan Cox)

The defence's case rests on the allegations being substantially true and their publishing was reasonable in the circumstances.

Federal Court Judge Justice Michael Wigney found the allegations were not "sufficiently specific and precise" and were "vague and imprecise".

"Inadequate and insufficient details are given about the alleged touching," Justice Wigney told the Federal Court in Sydney today.

"What part of Mr Rush relevantly touched the actress? And what part of the actress' body was touched?"

Justice denies 'fishing expedition'

The Daily Telegraph reported a complaint had been made against Rush during a STC production of King Lear.

Justice Wigney also ruled Nationwide News' subpoena to the STC, which required it to produce documents relating to complaint be set aside.

"The publisher is not permitted to undertake what is referred to colloquially as a 'fishing expedition' in the hope of finding something in support of its plea," Justice Wigney told the court.

"It should not be permitted to use the court's compulsory processes to obtain information and evidence so as to establish a defence."

After the decision was handed down, Rush's legal team pushed for a trial date to be set as soon as possible so their client "can be vindicated".

It is not yet clear whether The Daily Telegraph's legal team will appeal the decision.

Rush was not in court today.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/geoffrey-rush-has-court-win-against-daily-telegraph/9566184

That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson has been charged with the rapes of three women in the early 2000s, according to Los Angeles prosecutors.

The three counts of rape by force or fear come after a three-year investigation of the 44-year-old.

The charges were filed on Tuesday and Mr Masterson was arrested the following morning, jail records showed.

He was being held on $US3.3 million ($4.8 million) bail.

Mr Masterson has been charged with raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001, a 28-year-old woman in early 2003 and a 23-year-old woman in late 2003.

His attorney, Tom Mesereau, said his client "is innocent".

"We're confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify," Mr Mesereau said in a statement.

"Obviously, Mr Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year-old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out.

"The people who know Mr Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false."

Mr Masterson played Steven Hyde on the popular sitcom, which ran from 1998 to 2006.

Danny Masterson played Steven Hyde on the popular sitcom, That '70s Show.(IMDB: The Carsey-Werner Company)