Another Comic-Con is upon us, and thanks to the generosity of our members, corporate members, sponsors and supporters, we’ve developed a week full of great programs, parties, and an unforgettable auction to raise money for our important First Amendment program…
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SDCC: Artist Events From The CBLDF!
San Diego Comic-Con starts today, and the CBLDF is there with incredible events, including signings at our booth – 1920! Read on for a full schedule of signing & sketching events, with greats including Chip Kidd, Gilbert Shelton, Charlie Adlard,…
CBLDF’s Biggest Comic-Con Art Auction Ever! This Saturday!
At 128 pieces of amazing original art and signed memorabilia, and growing, Comic-Con’s 2012 Benefit Auction stands to be the Fund’s biggest auction ever, with amazing one-of-a-kind pieces up for grabs to benefit the organization’s important First Amendment legal work!…
Join the CBLDF Website Team!
Just yesterday, the CBLDF website was recognized by Tom Spurgeon with The Comics Reporter for our “content explosion,” and we want to do more! CBLDF is looking for contributors to add to our already spectacular roster of bloggers. Whether you’re…
SDCC: CBLDF Live Art Auction – FIRST LOOK!
This is the big one! The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund hosts its biggest auction of the year at Comic-Con on Saturday, July 14 the CBLDF’s Comic-Con Live Art Auction! This year’s auction will feature items for bidding, curated by…
SDCC: What’s New At The CBLDF Booth!
Comic Con International is the biggest week of the comics year, and it’s almost upon us! The CBLDF will be there, and aside from our annual party, our annual live art auction, multiple great programs and panels, we will also…
SDCC: CBLDF Programming!
Thursday, July 12 12:00-1:00 Censorship and the Female Artist — Attacks on women’s speech are on the rise in the current cultural climate in realms including politics and pop culture. This panel examines how censorship affects women artists, in realms…
SDCC: CBLDF Convention Kit FREE For All Members!
Are you a CBLDF member? Do you attend conventions, and are tired of the standard badge and lanyard combo? Do you wish you had more “flair” to show everyone that you support free speech? Do you find yourself pen free…
SDCC: CBLDF’s Comic-Con Welcome Party!
Kick off Comic-Con with the greatest stars in comics to celebrate 20 Years of Image Comics and the power of free expression at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Comic-Con Welcome Party! Starting at 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 12…
CBLDF Contributes Additional $10,000 to Ryan Matheson’s $75,000 Legal Defense Costs Thanks To Donors!
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is pleased to announce that thanks to the support of its contributors, the organization has disbursed an additional $10,000 to Ryan Matheson to help pay off the $75,000 legal defense costs that he incurred defending himself against false charges brought by Canada Customs in a case involving manga comics on his laptop computer.
Earlier this year, charges against Matheson were dropped in a case where Canada Customs illegally detained and wrongly charged the American with importation of child pornography for humor and fantasy manga on his laptop. The CBLDF came to Ryan’s aid in 2011, providing substantive and financial support for his case, including arranging expert testimony that contributed to the charges being dropped. With this most recent disbursal, the CBLDF has provided $30,000 to Ryan’s $75,000 legal defense costs. Last year, Canada’s Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund contributed $11,000 towards Ryan’s defense. CBLDF seeks contributions to help pay off Ryan’s remaining $34,000 in legal expenses.
In a message to CBLDF supporters, Matheson says, “Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the CBLDF! The donations raised so far have given me enough financial stability to finally get back on my feet and live my life normally instead of worrying about money so much. It’s really encouraging to know that there are so many people out there that want to help stand up for comics and manga. I used to feel so isolated and alone but now I’ve realized that the comics and manga community is definitely one that cares about the things we love and is willing to stand up for our rights. Your donations really do help a lot and I am so grateful for all the support I’ve received so far. Thank you!”
This summer, Matheson will be appearing on panels at San Diego Comic-Con and Otakon to discuss his case, where CBLDF will also be distributing literature advising convention goers of their rights.
Please make a donation to CBLDF to help the organization continue to pay off Matheson’s legal defense costs and to support their important work raising awareness of the rights facing comics and manga readers. To learn more about Ryan’s case, please visit the CBLDF Case File R. v. Matheson, which includes the original defense documents, and special advisories for travelers crossing borders with comics books.