California University System Pays Pro-Life Student $240,000 in Out of Court Settlement
The settlement is part of a 2017 lawsuit filed by a student who a student believes the university discriminated against him and his group when it refused to fund a pro-life event. In addition to paying the student $240,000, the university agreed to amend its policies to ensure future funding is allocated in a viewpoint neutral manner.
A Vegan “Cheese” Company is Suing California Over Its Labeling Restrictions
Miyoko Schinner, owner of a popular vegan “cheese” company, is suing California after the state ordered her to stop using the word “butter” in her packaging.
In An Ongoing Trial, New York Court Says Kesha’s Texts to Lady Gaga Defamed “Dr. Luke”
The decision is part of a closely followed defamation case filed by music producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, who claimed that Kesha falsely accused him of raping her when the two started working together in 2005.
A University in Delaware Censored a Student Art Piece for Its “Violent” Depiction of Trump
The student artwork, a parody of Caravaggio's "Judith Beheading Holofernes," involved swapping the figures for the Statue of Liberty and President Trump. The university's decision to censor the artwork appears to go against policies the school lays out in their student handbook.
Virginia Legislature Looks to Strengthen State’s Anti-SLAPP Law
Current loopholes in the state's law have lured a number of individuals into using Virginia courts to intimidate their critics. For example, of the six defamation complaints Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) filed in the past year, four were filed in Virginia.
FIRE Announces This Year’s List of Ten Worst Colleges for Free Speech
Every year since 2011, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has issued a list of 10 individual colleges and universities that, via policies or actions, have threatened the free speech rights of their students and faculty.
Jeff Bezos Faces Defamation Lawsuit Brought by Girlfriend’s Brother
Michael Sanchez, the brother of Jeff Bezos’s current girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, is suing the Amazon CEO for defamation for allegedly spreading false rumors that Sanchez shared nude photos of Bezos and his sister with the National Enquirer.
California DMV Settles with Owner of “Come on You Whites” License Plate
The license plate, which included a reference to a slogan used by Jonathan Kotler's favorite soccer team, was rejected after officials determined it contained an "offensive connotation."