Free Speech
Dismissal of Libel Lawsuit Over Gallaudet U's Allegation that Frat Has "Become the Face of Systemic Racism"
The lawsuit, which stems from statements about the fraternity’s use of a salute that looks similar to a Nazi salute and robes that some viewed as similar to Klan robes was rejected chiefly on the grounds that the statement was about the fraternity not the plaintiff, and was in any event opinion.
How the Controversy Around When Harry Became Sally Boosted Its Popularity
Amazon's decision to stop selling the book shows the pressure platforms are under to reject speech that doesn't conform to progressive orthodoxy.
Why Ryan Reynolds Can Use Winnie-the-Pooh To Sell You a Phone Plan
As pop culture icons enter the public domain, a strange new era of copyright begins.
Professor Sues University of Washington Over 'Land Acknowledgment' Investigation
Stuart Reges placed a land acknowledgment in his syllabus. Just not the one his university wanted.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Book on Prison Uprisings Banned in New York Prisons
Heather Ann Thompson's Blood in the Water might lead to "disobedience," prison officials say.
Court Strikes Down Ban on "Encourag[ing] or Induc[ing] an Alien to Come, Enter, or Reside" in the U.S.
The majority reads the statute broadly, and holds it's unconstitutionally overbroad; the dissent would read it more narrowly, as limited to constitutionally unprotected solicitation of specific criminal conduct.
Noah Rothman: The Progressive War on Fun
A conservative argues today's left is channeling Puritan theocrats when they try to prevent us from enjoying ourselves. Is he correct?
Interesting Defendant Anonymity Opinion in Trademark / Parody / Gun 3-D Printing Controversy
And, even more exciting, there’s personal jurisdiction thrown in.
FCC Exceeded Authority in Requiring Broadcasters to Check Sponsors Against Government's Foreign Agent Lists
The D.C. Circuit so held, concluding that the FCC regulation exceeded its powers under the federal Communications Act.
Sig Sauer Libel Suit Bumped from N.H. to Connecticut
A good illustration of how many courts deal with personal jurisdiction in libel cases.
Dungeons & Defamation: Role-Playing Game Convention Libel Case Can Go Forward
Good thing Zak Smith had lawyer characters with 18 Tort Law Acumen.
When 'Pro-Life' Becomes 'Pro-Censorship'
Antiabortion activists are the new Anthony Comstocks.
2d Cir.: Identifying Dissident for Saudi Government Isn't Negligent
Is negligently providing information to a dangerous person comparable to negligently entrusting a gun to a dangerous person (assuming a reasonable person would have realized the person was dangerous)?
Trans Author Jennings' I Am Jazz Is One of the Most Banned Books in the U.S.
The book may never achieve the cultural recognition of some other top censorship targets, but the fight over I Am Jazz symbolizes America's trans moral panic.
New Japanese Law Makes 'Online Insults' a Jailable Offense
Dedication to free speech is in short supply around the world, with Britain and Canada previously considering similar bills.
The Dangerous Lesson of Book Bans in Public School Libraries
An obscure Supreme Court case provides a roadmap through the curricular culture war.
China Kinda Sus: Indictment for "Transnational Repression Scheme to Silence Critics" of China in U.S.
Defendants include a DHS employee and a retired DHS law enforcement agent.
The Clarence Thomas Court Is Good News for Gun Rights, Bad News for Criminal Justice Reform
Like it or not, the Thomas Court is here.
Court Rules for Student Free Speech as to Off-Campus "Me and the Boys Bout to Exterminate the Jews" Post
“Defendants cannot claim a reasonable forecast of substantial disruption to regulate C.G.’s off-campus speech by simply invoking the words ‘harass’ and ‘hate’ when C.G.’s speech does not constitute harassment and its hateful nature is not regulable in this context.”
Two Cases Reject Pseudonymity for Porn Copyright Infringement Defendants
The split in the cases grows.
Elected Official vs. [Chocolate] Dick At Your Door
Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks sues a company that's in the business of delivering "chocolate Dick[s]," "offensive 5 inch chocolate phallus[es] with no redeeming social qualities, whatsoever."
When Spiegelman's Maus Was Challenged, Sales Spiked
How school board members lashed out against dirty words
Threatening to Disclose That Someone Had Been Molested Isn't Criminal Harassment (in N.Y.)
Plus a nice catalog of how high the bar can be for punishable threats under New York law.
India Wants Twitter To Participate in Government Censorship
Social media platforms may marginally support free speech. Government censors are trying to stop that.
Good Thing the United Cajun Navy Apparently Has a JAG Corps
An interesting threats case, from the Louisiana Court of Appeal
