CBLDF has joined a coalition of free speech advocates in protest of PayPal’s new policy regarding the sale of erotica, banning the sale of material that depicts incest, pseudo-incest, rape fantasies, and bestiality (including non-human fantasy characters). Over the weekend, Suw Charman-Anderson with Forbes.com wrote a pair of articles about what many consider the real culprit behind PayPal’s move to ban the sale of certain types of erotica: credit card companies. The connection to the credit card companies was rumored early on, and further analysis as the story has developed has reinforced the conclusion among many observers. However, at least one credit card company has already denied involvement.
Author: Betsy Gomez
NCAC Rebuts PayPal’s Response to Criticism of Erotica Policy
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…
CBLDF Joins Free Speech Groups In Protesting PayPal Censorship
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.
Pakistan Openly Advertises for Web Censorship System
Free speech advocates are concerned over Pakistan’s recent advertisement for companies to install a nation-wide Internet filtering system that could potentially block access to millions of Web domains. These advocates are apprehensive that this move by Pakistan may lead to broad governmental intervention and the censorship of political discourse in the country.
Click through for a summary and excerpts from an Associated Press report on this developing situation.
Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work and reporting on issues such as this by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!
MOUSE GUARD Volume 1: Fall 1152, Signed by David Petersen
Saxon, Kenzie, and Lieam, members of the fearless Mouse Guard, are dispatched to find a missing merchant mouse. Their search through dangerous terrain for the missing mouse reveals much more than they expect, as they stumble across a traitor in the Guard’s own ranks. Collects the first acclaimed Mouse Guard series from 2007 Russ Manning Award Winner David Petersen, along with special bonus material. The softcover comes bookplated with a signature by series creator, David Petersen.
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Vol. 1 HC, signed by Guy Davis
In 2001, Hellboy quit the B.P.R.D., leaving Abe Sapien to lead Liz Sherman and a bizarre roster of special agents in defending the world from occult threats, including the growing menace of the frog army, first spotted in Hellboy: Seed of Destruction. Mike Mignola and Dark Horse present the complete Plague of Frogs saga, from Hollow Earth to King of Fear. This first book explores the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense after Hellboy’s departure, cracks open the secrets of Abe Sapien’s origin, and sets the war on frogs in motion. This hardcover is signed by series artist Guy Davis.
CHEW Volume 1, signed by John Layman
Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he’s a hell of a detective, as long as he doesn’t mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit and why. He’s been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest, and most bizarre cases. This softcover is signed by author John Layman.
MOVING PICTURES, Signed by Kathryn and Stuart Immonen
During World War II, the Nazis pillaged much of Europe’s great art collections. Museum curator Ila Gardner and SS officer Rolf Hauptmann are forced by circumstances to play out an awkward and dangerous relationship in a public power struggle. Moving Pictures unfolds along two timelines which collide with the revelation of a terrible secret, an enigmatic decision that many would not make, and the realization that sometimes the only choice left is the refusal to choose. This softcover edition is signed by creators Kathryn and Stuart Immonen.
Mister Wonderful, signed by Dan Clowes
The fan-favorite, Eisner Award-winning story, originally serialized in The New York Times Magazine, now collected with 40 pages of new material. Marshall has a blind date with someone named Natalie. After nearly an hour, when he’s long since given up hope, Natalie appears. She’s too good to be true: attractive, young, intelligent, and she seems to be seriously engaged with what Marshall has to say. There has to be a catch. And, of course, there is. A captivating, bittersweet, and hilarious look at the potential for human connection in an increasingly hopeless world, Mister Wonderful more than lives up to its name. This hardcover edition is signed by cartoonist Dan Clowes.
Enjoy a “Lurid, Unsavory, Gruesome” Exhibit at the University of Maryland
If you live near the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, you might consider a trip to the special collections department of the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery for “All Lurid, Unsavory, Gruesome Illustrations Shall Be Eliminated: The Comics Code as seen through the UMBC Comics Collection.” The exhibit is open to the public and includes comics and original art from UMBC’s special collections.
More information on the exhibit after the jump.