Unusual Fraud Claim Against Scientific Co-Author Over Alleged Research Problems Fizzles Out
The claim was brought too late, the court holds, and the associated defamation claim is barred by the judicial proceeding privilege.
Free Speech
Can Law Forbid Threatening Judges with Impeachment Because of Their Votes?
Donald Trump, Rick Perry, and more.
Can't Get Case Sealed Just Because "People Ask Me About [It]"
The plaintiff says she "thought the whole time it was going to be confidential"—but court cases are public.
First Amendment Doesn't Protect Speech That Solicits a Specific Crime
Calling for the burning of a particular mosque, for instance, or the bombing of a particular police station, or the killing of a particular person (politician, police officer, activist, or anyone else) may be constitutionally unprotected solicitation.
Feds Seek 20-Year Sentence for Backpage Co-Founder Michael Lacey
It's an insane ask for someone convicted of just one nonviolent offense.
"There Is No Basis for Preventing the Public from Learning That Natale Seeks Recourse for the Defendants' Alleged Misconduct"
A reminder to libel plaintiffs (and other plaintiffs).
Court Reverses Injunction Against Anti-Anti-Semitic Speech Targeted at Neighbor
Galapo’s neighbor Oberholzer called him a “fucking Jew”; the Galapos “posted twenty-three signs” on their property, facing the Oberholzers’ property.
"Johns Hopkins University Articulates Restrained Approach to Issuing Public Statements"
"[T]he very idea of an 'official' position of the university on a social, scientific, or political issue runs counter to our foundational ethos ...."
Censoring the Internet Won't Protect Kids
Sen. Rand Paul makes the case against the Kids Online Safety Act.
When Attacks on Anarchists Accidentally Improved Free Speech Law
After the crackdown on anarchists died down, it became more difficult to imagine anyone could go to jail in America solely for political heresy.
European and American Censors Want War With Elon Musk
Beware the Thierry Bretons of the world.
Plaintiff Claims P. Diddy's Defamation Damaged Plaintiff's Drug Smuggling Business
Plaintiff says he was "always willing to set up business deals with the rich for drugs."
UCLA Appeals Yesterday's Preliminary Injunction That Ordered It to Avoid Repetition of Exclusion of Jewish or Pro-Israel Students from Parts of Campus
[UPDATE 8/23/24: UCLA has just dropped the appeal.]
"Personal Protection Order" Statute May Be Unconstitutional to the Extent It Authorizes Ex Parte Orders That Restrict Speech
The court is discussing orders "enjoining protected speech or conduct ... without an adversarial hearing or adjudication on the merits that the speech or conduct is not protected."
San Francisco City Council Targets Free Speech To Cover Up Its Own Housing Failures
Desperate to control soaring rents, the city council bans rental data tools while ignoring its own role in the housing crisis.
Limits on Carrying Objects in Marches Near Chicago Convention Aren't Unconstitutionally Vague
“[C]ourts do not use vagueness doctrine to establish a rule that government cannot regulate anything until it classifies everything.”
Charles Gasparino: 'Woke' Hypocrisy Is Hurting Businesses
The business journalist discusses his new book Go Woke, Go Broke and how CEOs accelerated corporate political activism only to regret its impact on the economy.
Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against UCLA, Stemming from Risk of Repetition of Exclusion of Jewish or Pro-Israel Students from Parts of Campus
If participants in unauthorized encampments exclude Jewish or pro-Israel students from walking in parts of campus, UCLA would then have to close those parts to everyone.
Can Nostr Make Twitter's Dreams Come True?
Twitter's founder says Nostr is “100 percent what we wanted”—an open, ownerless network.
A Lawsuit by Christian Zionists Says Biden's West Bank Sanctions Violate the First Amendment
By targeting "persons undermining peace, security, and stability," the plaintiffs argue, the president is threatening to punish people for opposing a two-state solution.
U.K. Politicians Target Social Media To Deflect From Riots and Civil Unrest
As Britain grapples with riots, politicians shift focus to “holding tech accountable” by pushing for censorship and sidestepping the deeper issues fueling the chaos.
Comedian Hannibal Buress's False Arrest Lawsuit Can Go Forward
"Roast[ing]" police officers may not generally be wise, but it is still generally constitutionally protected.
California School Punishes First-Grader for a Drawing, Sparking Federal Lawsuit
The First Amendment case about a first-grader’s free speech rights is headed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Response to My Motion to Unseal Material in Pennsylvania Sen. Douglas Mastriano's Lawsuit Related to His Ph.D. Thesis
Sen. Mastriano (who is running for reelection to the state senate, and who ran in 2022 for Governor) is suing for, among other things, libel—but trying to keep the allegedly libelous material under seal.
When Is Fighting Back Against a Police Dog Animal Abuse?
Detached reflection cannot be demanded in the presence of an open maw.
Tim Walz Was Dead Wrong About Misinformation and Free Speech
Kamala Harris' veep should learn something about the First Amendment.
Florida Public Colleges Ordered To Check Courses for 'Anti-Israel Bias'
Officials ordered schools to review all courses with descriptions or syllabi that contain words such as Israel, Palestine, and Jewish.
The NIH Deleted Comments Criticizing Animal Testing. A Federal Court Says That Violates the First Amendment.
The NIH had been deleting all social media comments containing words like animal, testing, and cruel.
