Robert Corn-Revere, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s general counsel, provides a detailed summary and analysis of the oral arguments in Schwarzenegger v. EMA, which was argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week. One of the country’s leading First Amendment experts, Corn-Revere successfully litigated U.S. v. Stevens and recently wrote the CBLDF’s amicus brief in the Schwarzenegger case. Full story follows the jump.
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CBLDF is committed to supporting the comics community. Fill out our form to request assistance or report censorship today!
A Skeptical Supreme Court Hears Schwarzenegger v. EMA
Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Schwarzenegger v. EMA, a case addressing whether states can ban the sale of violent video games to minors without also violating the First Amendment. A full transcript of oral arguments has been made available here. Coverage emerging since arguments concluded yesterday indicate that the Court appears skeptical towards the California law’s constitutionality. After the jump, we gather the news and analysis.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments In Schwarzenegger v. EMA
This morning the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Schwarzenegger v. EMA, a case addressing whether states can ban the sale of violent video games to minors without also violating the First Amendment. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund wrote a brief in support of the video game industry, urging the court to 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 emphasizes the history of moral panic that led to the comics industry being decimated in the wake of government scrutiny in the 1950s.
Early reports from oral arguments indicate that members of the court were “sympathetic” to the California law, but strongly questioned its constitutionality. Full story, with links to analysis and transcripts, follows the break.
Preliminary Injunction Granted Against Massachusetts Online Censorship Law
U.S. District Judge Rya W. Zobel granted a preliminary injunction against the online censorship law that went into effect in Massachusetts earlier this year. Massachusetts booksellers, trade associations including the CBLDF, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts filed suit in July to block the law because it imposes severe restrictions on constitutionally protected speech on the Internet, on the grounds that such material might be “harmful to minors.” The Court enjoined the law because it did not require that such material was purposefully sent to a person the sender knew to be a minor.
MTV Geek Launch Party benefits CBLDF
Launching over the weekend of New York Comic Con, MTV Geek went live with a bang. A terrific new site covering comics and other pop culture, MTV Geek hosted a live art event to celebrate their premiere weekend.
“Monsters Project” begins at Comics Alliance!
With Halloween around the corner, our friends at Comics Alliance have launched the Monsters Project, an excellent, daily exhibition of Monsters drawn by cartoonists from every corner of the comics industry.
Steve “The Dude” Rude Visits the CBLDF!
Today was a particularly exciting afternoon in the midtown offices of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Fan Favorite artist Steve “The Dude” Rude dropped by to produce a one-of-a-kind painting, on the premises, for the Fund. As longtime admirers of the Dude’s work, it was a rare treat to watch him at work.
CBLDF Goes APE!
This weekend, the Alternative Press Expo takes over the Concourse Exhibitions Center in San Francisco! APE is the West Coast’s premiere exhibition of literary and art comics, and this year will boast special guests including Lynda Barry, Daniel Clowes, Vanessa Davis, Keith Knight and more.
The CBLDF will be there, represented by organization President and Beanworld creator Larry Marder and Executive Director Charles Brownstein, who will both be leading programs at the event. The CBLDF booth, 300, will boast a display of original art and prints, all available for modest donations to the Fund. Come celebrate the future of comics and support the CBLDF at APE!
NYCC Wraps Strong for CBLDF
We are in the throes of post-convention decompression, here at the CBLDF offices. Every convention is exciting, but the hometown show seems particularly eventful. We spent all three days on the floor at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center (mere blocks from our offices), surrounded by displays and friends from IDW, Top Shelf, First Second, and Archie Comics… and those were just the booths we could see across the aisles! The entire convention center, from Artist Alley to Retail Row, was filled with Fund supporters and partners, and it’s always energizing to see so many in the same room, especially if the room is a multi-city-block conventions center.
CBLDF Welcome Party Overflows at the Pourhouse
Many thanks to all the supporters who attended the CBLDF’s NYCC Welcome Party last Thursday! There was an unprecedented turnout, and it seemed that everyone had a great time. Extra thanks go to our co-sponsors, Image Comics and The Beat, who were on hand to celebrate with us.
Neil Gaiman’s Board Meeting Doodles
Yesterday the Board and office staff of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund held their annual strategic planning meeting. Long-time board member Neil Gaiman was there, and he gave us these fun doodles, which are now on auction on eBay!
All images follow the jump!
Josh Neufeld Named As Ambassador of Free Expression by U.S. State Department
The Washington Post reports that Josh Neufeld, author of A.D.: New Orleans After The Deluge is being sent on a three week tour of North Africa and the Middle East as an ambassador of Free Expression by the U.S. State Department. Neufeld is known for chronicling his experience as a volunteer for the Red Cross following Hurricane Katrina.
Neufeld told The Post:
The State Department invited me “specifically because of the Katrina book, which is blatantly so critical of the government,” Neufeld tells Comic Riffs of his comics reportage. “The program brings in cultural figures who disseminate [this message] — the State Department is proud of that freedom of expression. … They bring me over as a statement of how our civil society welcomes voices of dissent in all forms.”
The CBLDF congratulates Josh for being appointed to perform this important work!
CBLDF At NYCC!
New York Comic Con opens to the public today at 2 PM, and the CBLDF will be there with a dynamic array of extraordinary premiums. Come visit us at Booth 2209 to get your copy of the Liberty Annual 2010 and an enormous array of books, prints, and art supporting our First Amendment legal work.
With our offices mere minutes away from the con, we’re able to bring more hard-to-find incentives than we are to other shows, like signed Absolute Sandman, Green Lantern and Dark Knight graphic novels. So be sure to make a visit to the CBLDF to find that rare item for your collection or the perfect holiday gift for the fan in your life while supporting a great cause!
Support the CBLDF At Rock Comic Con on Saturday Night!
Saturday, October 9th at 10:30pm Rock Comic Con takes over Sullivan Hall located in NYC’s West Village. The benefit show promises to be the ultimate ‘after party’ to the Comic Con weekend’s pop culture festivities with proceeds going to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
The 2010 Liberty Annual Is Here!
The CBLDF’s Liberty Annual 2010 has arrived! Get yours by visiting your local comics retailer today! Ask your retailer how you can get a copy of the rare Charlie Adlard Walking Dead retailer variant with the classic CBLDF logo on the t-shirt. The color Walking Dead variant will be available from CBLDF at this weekend’s New York Comic Con.
Jam packed with stellar work from industry greats, the 2010 Liberty Annual supports the work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and delivers a cracking good read. Get yours today!