A Florida school district was sued on Wednesday by Penguin Random House, advocacy group PEN America, authors, and parents, over its recent book banning.
Articles Posted in Free Speech
Jack Daniel’s vs. Bad Spaniels: U.S. Supreme Court Hears Trademark Infringement Case
The U.S. Supreme Court considered a case involving a parody dog toy, "Bad Spaniels," and its alleged infringement of the Jack Daniel's trademark.
Phoenix Rule for Super Bowl Signs Struck Down
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge found that Phoenix could not involve the NFL in the process of approving ads on property during the weeks surrounding the Super Bowl.
Supreme Court to Hear Jack Daniel’s Case Involving Trademark and Free Speech Rights
On Monday, November 21, 2022, the United States Supreme Court granted a petition for a writ of certiorari in Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc. v. VIP Products LLC. The lawsuit seeks to clarify whether VIP's Jack Daniel's themed dog-toys are protected from trademark infringement claims due to VIP's First Amendment interest in using Jack Daniel's trademarks on the toys.
The Onion Files Amicus Brief in Support of Parody
The Onion has filed a Supreme Court brief in support of a man arrested and prosecuted for making fun of a police department on social media, arguing that parodists should not be obligated to "pop the balloon in advance."
11th Circuit Holds That Social Media Companies’ Content-Moderation Decisions Protected by First Amendment
On Monday, May 23, 2022, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of social media companies that moderate content on their platforms because "the government can't tell a private person or entity what to say or how to say it."
Judge Rules That Alaska Illegally Fired Assistant Attorney General for Criticizing Trump
The First Amendment provides certain protections for freedom of speech and association to which government employees may be entitled despite the nature of their jobs.
Supreme Court to Decide Praying High School Football Coach’s First Amendment Case
On Friday, January 14, 2022, the United States Supreme Court granted a high school football coach's petition for a writ of certiorari. The court will hear the coach's case concerning postgame midfield prayers with players and coaches.
Posted in:
Civil Rights, Free Speech
Texas Social Media Law Challenged in Federal Court
Two internet trade organizations have challenged a Texas law regulating social media companies’ ability to remove users from their platforms. The law, House Bill 20, was signed by Governor Greg Abbott earlier this month.
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Student Free Speech Case Evolves Jurisprudence for the Internet Era
The United States Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of protecting public school students' free speech rights on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. The ruling expounds upon Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, bringing student free speech jurisprudence into the internet era. "[S]ometimes it is necessary to protect the superfluous in order to preserve the necessary."
