What is the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund?
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.
What kinds of cases does Comic Book Legal Defense Fund assist?
The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance and education to cases affecting the First Amendment right to read, create, publish, sell, and distribute comics and graphic novels. We help individuals and businesses who are being criminally prosecuted because of the comic books they read, make, buy, or sell. We help creators who are being attacked in cases where their work is clearly protected as parody or fair use. We help libraries gather resources to defend graphic novel challenges. We are the first line of defense when authorities intimidate individuals or businesses about the comics they read, make, buy or sell. Often a letter or phone call from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s lawyers will end a case before it starts.
What kinds of cases can’t be assisted by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund?
The CBLDF is a small organization whose mission allows it to provide direct support to a narrow range of cases directly affecting the First Amendment rights of work within the comic book art form. Because of that, the CBLDF does not participate in cases where First Amendment rights are not the central legal issue at hand, or cases that aren’t related to work within the comics art form. We do not aid civil prosecutions, contract or labor disputes, or infringement claims that do not have a central First Amendment element. Wherever we can, CBLDF attempts to refer individuals or businesses seeking our help to the appropriate lawyers or organizations that can help them.
How can I reach the CBLDF for help?
The CBLDF is available to respond to a First Amendment attack at a moment’s notice. You can call us at 1-800-99-CBLDF or 212.679.7151. You can also email our Executive Director, Charles Brownstein, 24 hours a day at charles.brownstein@cbldf.org if you need the CBLDF’s legal assistance.
When should I call the CBLDF for help?
The CBLDF should be your first call when your First Amendment rights are under attack. You should contact the CBLDF the first time authorities come into your home or business, or at the first receipt of an intimidating legal letter. The earlier the CBLDF gets involved, the higher the likelihood that we can bring your case to a successful resolution.
How can I get involved with CBLDF?
The CBLDF is always looking for volunteers to assist our education, administrative and fundraising work. We accept volunteers onsite in our New York City office, and at conventions across the country. If you would like to volunteer for the CBLDF, please email info@cbldf.org.
How can I help the CBLDF?
The CBLDF is a small organization that is directly supported by the contributions of our members and donors. If you can make a monetary contribution, please consider signing up for membership, or making a donation for one of our premium items.
If you would like to make a contribution of original art, rare comics, or other tangible items to CBLDF, please contact our office at info@cbldf.org
If you are a publisher and would like to make a contribution of books or comics, please contact our Deputy Director at alex.cox@cbldf.org
If you are a store owner, librarian or convention organizer and would like to host a CBLDF fundraiser in your store, please contact our office at info@cbldf.org
If you are unable to make a contribution, you can still help by spreading the word about CBLDF by linking to our site.