The PTO’s Prissy, Puzzling Rules for Registering Trademarks Are Fuct Up
The owner of a clothing line asks the Supreme Court to overturn the ban on "scandalous" trademarks because it violates the First Amendment.
First Amendment
The Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Case of a Rapper Convicted for His Anti-Cop Lyrics
The case drew support from rappers like Killer Mike, Chance the Rapper, and Meek Mill.
The Assange Exception to the First Amendment
Freedom of the press is not limited to "legitimate journalists."
Punishing Assange Isn’t Worth Killing a Free Press: Reason Roundup
Plus: Christians and bureaucrats versus Tarot in Virginia, and Democratic candidates on restoring voting rights to prisoners
High School Suspends 2 Students for Posting Gun Range Photos on Snapchat, ACLU Files Suit
"Sharing our completely legal weekend activities on Snapchat should not result three days of in-school suspensions," Cody Conroy told Reason.
John McWhorter: America Has Never Been Less Racist
The Columbia University linguist discusses the Jussie Smollett hoax, Donald Trump, and "antiracism" as a new secular religion.
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John McWhorter: America Has Never Been Less Racist
Columbia linguist John McWhorter on the Jussie Smollett hoax, Donald Trump, and "antiracism" as a new secular religion.
Fake News and the First Amendment: Free Speech Rules (Episode 3)
Episode 3 of Free Speech Rules, starring UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh
Activists Disrupt Law Professor’s Talk at the University of Chicago
"This is not a terribly effective tactic of persuasion, loudly yelling so students can't hear."
Texas Would Rather Ban All Chaplains from Execution Chambers Than Placate One Buddhist Inmate in His Final Moments
Equal treatment under the law can mean everyone is treated equally poorly
Georgia Bill Would Mandate ‘Journalism Ethics Board.’ What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Journalists would be expected to pay up for government records, while handing over their own records to government officials for free.
Arizona Students Arrested for Interrupting a Border Patrol Event Have Free Speech Rights, Too
"There is simply not enough information...to confirm that the protestors' conduct, taken as a whole, constituted unprotected disruption."
Application to Release Grand Jury Material Quoted in Mueller Report
Since I've been blogging today about public rights of access to sealed files, I thought I'd pass this along.
Mark Zuckerberg: ‘I Believe We Need a More Active Role for Governments and Regulators’
Facebook and the end of the open Internet era
Brett Kavanaugh Explains Why He Voted to Grant Buddhist Inmate’s Stay of Execution
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 last night to grant Patrick Murphy's petition for a stay.
Busybodies on Both Sides of the Atlantic Are Trying to Kill the Internet: Reason Roundup
Plus: Senators move to end warrantless NSA spying and the "Paycheck Fairness Act" passes the House.
Teen Girl Kicked Off Cheerleading Team for Saying ‘Fuck Cheer’ Wins First Amendment Lawsuit
Students have the right to complain about school.
Trump: ‘Universities Have Tried to Impose Total Conformity. That Changes Starting Right Now.’
The president signed an executive order supporting free speech on college campuses.
Trump Will Sign Executive Order Requiring Colleges To Promote ‘Free Inquiry’ If They Want Federal Research Funds
"It is the policy of the federal government to encourage institutions to foster environments that promote open, intellectually engaging, and diverse debate."
Sen. Menendez Calls for Twitter to Stop Spreading Software That Can Help Make Weapons
Press release from Jersey senator asks Twitter to censor specific user @ivanthetroll12.
Devin Nunes Milks Fake Cow Account on Twitter For Nonsense Lawsuit: Reason Roundup
Plus: SCOTUS declines Hawaii lesbian case, UC stands by professor in free speech standoff, and ACLU warns of "privacy Trojan horse."
Conservatives Want UC-Davis to Fire a Professor Who Welcomed Violence Against Cops
Joshua Clover has a First Amendment right to say horrible things about the police.
Trump Keeps Wondering Why People Are Allowed to Make Fun of Him on TV
The "equal time" rule does not mean what the president thinks it means.
Government to Pizzeria: You Can Paint a Mural, Just Not One That Features Pizza
Arlington County's free-speech-trampling sign code forbids businesses from depicting the goods they sell on exterior murals.
A Tattooed Libertarian on the Arizona Supreme Court: Clint Bolick’s Long Fight for Freedom
Q&A with the co-founder of Institute for Justice about immigration, his legal philosophy, his battles with Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and that tattoo.
Maybe Now We Can Finally Read This Star Trek/Dr. Seuss Mash-Up
Federal judge's ruling in a fair-use lawsuit "is a big win for the First Amendment."
Colorado and Baker End Fight Over Whether He Can Be Forced To Make a Transgender Cake
Both sides agree to stand down. First Amendment precedents were on the baker's side.
Sacramento Police Detain Reporter Covering Stephon Clark Protests, Tie Hands Behind His Back
Police allegedly shoved a photographer to the ground with a baton as well.
In Editor’s Note, The Washington Post Admits Early Covington Reporting Was Flawed. Nicholas Sandmann’s Attorney Says That’s Not Good Enough.
"The Sandmanns would never accept half of a half-measure from an organization that still refuses to own up to its error."
To Reduce Money in Politics, Slash the Size of Government
Reformers always have a new scheme to take "the money out of politics," but it usually just makes the government larger and campaign spending increase.
AZ Marshal Threatens Preteen Reporter with Juvie, Reportedly Says: ‘I Don’t Want to Hear About Any of That Freedom of the Press Stuff’
Posting a recording of the interaction to the internet would be illegal, the marshal said.
The Media’s Covington Coverage Was Appalling, but Nick Sandmann’s Libel Lawsuit Is Not the Answer
A teenager wrongly accused of harassing a Native American activist sues The Washington Post for $250 million.
How the Feds Are Using Civil Asset Forfeiture to Threaten Free Speech
Sex, publishing, and quasi-legal theft collide in the Backpage prosecution.
SCOTUS Won’t Hear Defamation Case Against Bill Cosby; Clarence Thomas Has Issues with Landmark First Amendment Ruling [UPDATED]
Thomas thinks the Supreme Court may have erred in its 1964 NYT v. Sullivan ruling.
The 3 Rules of Hate Speech and the First Amendment
Episode 2 of Free Speech Rules by UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh
FCC Commissioner Wants to Ban E-Cigarette Ads, Because ‘Public Interest’
Jessica Rosenworcel overlooks the statutory and constitutional obstacles to her plan.
Last Year Saw ‘Furthest-Reaching Attempt to Censor Online Speech’ Since the 1990s, Say FOSTA Challengers
As the lawsuit against FOSTA hits appeals court, three essays about the law that everyone should read.
‘Sex Offenders Are Not Second-Class Citizens,’ Says Judge While Nixing Alabama Rules on First Amendment Grounds
The decision rejects driver's licenses labeled "CRIMINAL SEX OFFENDER" and a broad demand for reports on internet use.
Massachusetts Supreme Court Says a Teen Who Told Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself Should Go to Jail
The Michelle Carter case has troubling free speech implications.
Illinois Seeks Social Media Accounts of Gun Owners: Reason Roundup
Plus: Nancy Pelosi on the "Green New Deal"; John Boehner, cannabis lobbyist
Supreme Court Rejects Stay of Execution for Alabama Inmate After Imam Not Allowed in Chamber
The Alabama prison allows a Christian chaplain in the execution chamber to pray with death row inmates, but it refused to let an imam inside.
Judge Says a College Club Has the Right To Demand Its Leaders Abide by Christian Values
The University of Iowa revoked credentials from Business Leaders in Christ for setting sex and marriage requirements for its leaders.
New Jersey Slaps Criminal Penalties on Gun Manufacturing Instructions
The state can't scrub gun manufacturing info from the internet, so they're trying to make distributing it a crime--First Amendment be damned.
Portland Community College Cancels Leftist Event Due to Safety Concerns
"PCC Public Safety was made aware of a possible planned disruption to tonight's event."
4 Cases That Show the Scope of Services, Speech, and Conduct Protected by Section 230
Gun buyers, gay lovers, cannabis customers, and Yelp users are just a few of the groups that benefit from this federal law.
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Case of High School Coach Fired for Praying on the Field
The conservative justices listed a key factor preventing them from hearing the case.
Judge Rules Against Syracuse University Students’ Free Speech Rights
A shortsighted decision that makes little sense.