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Criminal Charges Dropped in Canada Customs Manga Case

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund are pleased to announce that the Crown has withdrawn all criminal charges in R. v Matheson, the case previously described as the “Brandon X case,” which involved a comic book reader who faced criminal charges in Canada relating to comic books on his computer. The defendant, Ryan Matheson, a 27-year-old comic book reader, amateur artist, and computer programmer has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

The total legal costs of this case exceeded $75,000. After taking the case last summer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund contributed $20,000 to the defense, and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund contributed $11,000. The CBLDF also participated in shaping the defense, including recruiting expert testimony for the trial. The organization is currently seeking funds to help pay off the $45,000 debt Matheson incurred as a result of his case, and to create new tools to prevent future cases. To make a contribution to these important efforts, please visit www.cbldf.org.

Full details and resources are available after the jump.

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Ryan Matheson’s Personal Statement

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After being cleared of any wrongdoing, Ryan Matheson speaks out for the first time about the injustices he suffered at the hands of Canadian authorities because of the comics he had on his laptop. After the jump, he details the mistreatment he suffered in Canada and the profound trauma involved in defending himself against a monstrous, false accusation. He also expresses his gratitude to the many supporters who made contributions to aid his defense. Read Ryan’s full statement after the jump.

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PayPal Lifts Ban on Erotic Content

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After widespread protest from free speech advocates around the nation, including CBLDF, PayPal has rescinded its overly broad threat to suspend the accounts of e-book publishers that release erotic material featuring incest, pseudo-incest, rape fantasies, bestiality (including non-human fantasy characters). Early word of PayPal’s revised policy was spread when e-book publisher Smashwords announced that they would be returning to their original terms of service, but PayPal has now made it official with an announcement on their blog.

Click through for the official statement for PayPal and the response from ABFFE and NCAC.

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NCAC Rebuts PayPal’s Response to Criticism of Erotica Policy

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In response to complaints from Free Speech organizations around the country — including a protest letter signed by CBLDF — Anuj Nayar, the Director of Communications for PayPal, blogged in defense of PayPal’s erotic content policy. In their blog, the National Coalition Against Censorship, which was one of the original drafters of the letter that CBLDF signed onto, rebutted several of the points Nayar made. Click through for a point-by-point summary…

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CBLDF Joins Free Speech Groups In Protesting PayPal Censorship

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Last week, we reported on PayPal’s new policy regarding erotic content and their requirement that e-book publishers remove certain types of content — incest, pseudo-incest, rape fantasies, bestiality (including non-human fantasy characters) — or face deactivation of their accounts. In response, the American Book Sellers Foundation for Free Expression and the National Coalition Against Censorship sent PayPal a letter decrying the policy.

The list of organizations signing on to ABFFE and NCAC’s letter is growing, and CBLDF has joined the coalition against PayPal’s erotic content policy. Click through for the full text of the letter CBLDF signed.

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One Million Moms Targets Toys “R” Us Over LIFE WITH ARCHIE #16

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One Million Moms — a division of the American Family Association, a conservative non-profit organization that “promotes traditional family values” — recently made news over their boycott of retailer JC Penney over hiring lesbian TV host Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson. They are in the news again with recent reports that they will be boycotting Toys “R” Us over the display and sale of Life with Archie #16, which features the marriage of openly gay character Kevin Keller.

Keep reading…

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Image Expo Bound!

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This weekend, the CBLDF will be exhibiting at Image Expo, a celebration of creator owned comics honoring the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics, in downtown Oakland, California.

The CBLDF will have all kinds of thank yous for our supporters including a free CBLDF exclusive edition of Glory #23, and a welcome party on Friday that’s free for members.

After the jump, CBLDF’s Executive Director Charles Brownstein walks you through all the great things the Fund has planned at the show!

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Free Speech Hero Barney Rosset Passes Away

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Barney Rosset’s Grove Press published some of the best known names in modern literature: Samuel Beckett, Allen Ginsberg, Henry Miller, William Burroughs, and more. Throughout his tenure as a publisher and filmmaker, Rosset was a crusader against obscenity laws. Rosset recently passed away at the age of 90. More after the jump…

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Image Comics, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and iFanboy present the Image Expo Welcome Party

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Experience Creativity with comics’ greatest creators at the Image Expo Welcome Party sponsored by Image Comics and iFanboy to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! The party is free for CBLDF members and kicks off at 8 PM on February 24, 2012 at The Uptown in Oakland, California. This party jump starts a weekend of celebrating independent comics and free speech at the Image Expo, taking place at the Oakland Convention Center. Proceeds from the Image Expo Welcome Party will benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, who will have a gift bag for members and donors!

Keep reading for all the details!

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Ultimate Comics Gives Back to CBLDF with Muppet Show Auction!

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Did you ever want to see what Frank Cho, Eric Powell, or David Mack would do with an assignment to draw the Muppets? North Carolina retailer Ultimate Comics made it happen! They are proud to announce that it will be auctioning two dozen of its store exclusiveThe Muppet Show #1 variant covers, hand sketched by some of the greatest talent in the comics industry, with all proceeds going to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!

The auctions start today! Keep reading for more details and an auction preview!

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