Legacy of the Comics Code

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund received the rights to the Comics Code Seal of Approval in 2011, after the Comic Magazine Association of America dissolved.  The CMAA donated the seal to the Fund, ensuring that yesterday’s symbol of censorship is used to protect free speech today, and in the future.

Amy Kiste-Nyberg of Seton Hall University writes:

Today, publishers regulate the content of their own comics. The demise of the Comics Code Authority and its symbol, the Seal of Approval, marks elimination of industry-wide self-regulation, against which there is little legal recourse. Now, the comic book community can answer its critics by invoking its First Amendment rights, assisted by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, whose mission is to protect those rights through legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education.

The Seal of Approval is now used to raise money to aid in the CBLDF’s education and legal defense program work.  The Fund offers t-shirts, buttons, and water bottles using the Seal as part of that work.  The seal can also be licensed from the CBLDF for use in media and on merchandise.  To make a request about licensing the Seal of Approval, please contact the CBLDF’s Interim Executive Director: Jeff.Trexler@cbldf.org

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics field.