R. v. Matheson
Imagine traveling to another country and having your comic books and electronic devices seized. Then, you’re arrested because of the books you read. This may seem like a horror story, but for one comics reader, it’s come true. Right now an American citizen — we’ll call him Brandon, although that’s not his real name — is facing a minimum sentence of year in a Canadian prison and being forced to register as a sex offender. Just for having comics on his laptop. This incident is the most serious in a trend the CBLDF has been tracking involving the search and seizure of the print and electronic comic books carried by travelers crossing borders. more…
Brown v. EMA
CBLDF contributes an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to affirm the Ninth Circuit’s decision that a California law banning the sale or rental of any video game containing violent content to minors, and requiring manufacturers to label such games, is unconstitutional. The CBLDF brief outlines the history of moral panics censoring media, including the 1950s government hearings that contributed to the collapse of the comics industry. more…
U.S. v. Christopher Handley
A manga collector is put in jail for the mere possession of comics. The CBLDF agrees to provide expert testimony, but the matter never gets its day in court when defendant Christopher Handley pleads guilty, setting a chilling example for years to come. more…
Georgia v. Gordon Lee
With the help of the CBLDF, comic book retailer Gordon Lee wins the fight against the alleged distribution of obscene material to a minor. more…
Richie Bush – Top Shelf Productions v. U.S. Customs
US Customs officials seize shipments of Stripburger comics anthologies, featuring parodies of Richie Rich and Peanuts, claiming the books contain stories that violate registered copyrights, and the CBLDF steps in to successfully defend distributor Top Shelf Productions. more…
Kraft Foods v. Stuart Helm
When Kraft Foods, Inc, sues cartoonist Stuart Helm for trademark dilution and infringement for making underground comics under the name King Velveeda, the CBLDF aids his defense. more…
Texas v. Jesus Castillo
The CBLDF defends Jesus Castillo, a comic book store employee in Dallas, Texas, who was charged with two counts of obscenity for the sale of adult comic books from the adult section of his store to an undercover police officer. more…
Starbucks v. Kieron Dwyer
The CBLDF aids comic book creator Kieron Dwyer when Starbucks Corporation sues him for his parody of their corporate logo. more…
Oklahoma v. Planet Comics
When the owners of Planet Comics in Oklahoma City, Michael Kennedy and John Hunter, are prosecuted for the display and sale of various adult comics, the CBLDF finances their defense. more…
California BOE v. Paul Mavrides
The CBLDF helps Paul Mavrides, artist of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, defeat the state of California in its attempt to collect back taxes on his artwork after the state reclassified comic book creators as independent contractors rather than artists. more…
Winter Bros. v. DC Comics
When Joe Lansdale, Timothy Truman, and Sam Glanzman—the creators of Jonah Hex: Riders of the Worm and Such—and publisher DC Comics are sued by musicians Johnny and Edgar Winter for alleged defamation, the CBLDF helps defend the creators’ right to satirical speech. more…
Florida v. Mike Diana
The CBLDF defends comic book artist Mike Diana’s right to create art after Diana was convicted for obscenity in Florida and helps Diana in his effort to get the obscenity conviction overturned. more…
Friendly Frank’s – Illinois v. Correa
When Michael Correa, manager of Friendly Frank’s, a comic book shop in Lansing, Illinois, is arrested for obscenity, Denis Kitchen asked for aid in Correa’s defense, resulting in an overturned obscenity conviction and the founding of the CBLDF. more…