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First Amendment

“The institute . . . battles against nonsensical regulations nationwide that stifle free speech and limit commerce.”
—The Orange County Register

IJ defends freedom of speech in a variety of contexts, from commercial speech to political speech, ensuring that government regulation is constrained and that new forms of communications can become the technologies of freedom.

With the Internet, virtually anyone can be a publisher. But while individuals view such powerful media as opportunities to expand the free flow of information in the marketplace of ideas, government regulatory agencies consider them a threat. Devastating consequences for a republic result when government erects barriers to speech that prevent individuals from speaking or publishing opinions that can be out of favor with the current political elite.

Representing software developers and online content providers, the Institute’s litigation extended First Amendment protections for Internet speech, thereby limiting government’s regulation of speech and commerce via software and the Internet.

Current First Amendment Cases

SpeechNow.org–SpeechNow.org v. FEC

Arizona “Clean Elections Act” (Second Challenge)–Martin v. Brewer

St. Louis Free Speech–Neighborhood Enterprises, Inc. v. City of St. Louis

Texas Interior Design–Byrum et al v. Landreth et al

Glendale, Ohio Free Speech–Pagan v. Fruchey

Parker North, Colorado Free Speech–Sampson et al. v. Gigi Dennis, Secretary of State of Colorado

New Hampshire Speech–Skynet Corporation d/b/a ZeroBrokerFees.com v. Slattery

Colorado Free Speech–Independence Institute v. Richard Evans, and Gigi Dennis, Secretary of State, State of Colorado

Washington Political Speech–San Juan County v. No New Gas Tax

Completed First Amendment Cases

New Mexico Interior Design–Sherry Franzoy and Caryn Armijo v. Barbara Templeman

Redmond, Wash., Portable Sign Ban–Dennis Ballen, et al., v. The City of Redmond, et al.

Lynnwood, WA Sign Ordinance–Epoch Design v. City of Lynnwood

Minnesota Winery Internet Speech–Crockett v. Minnesota Department of Public Safety

U.S. Government-forced Milk Advertising–Cochran v. Veneman

California Real Estate Website Licensing–ForSaleByOwner.com v. Zinneman

Arizona “Clean Elections Act” (First Challenge)–Lavis v. Bayless

Michigan Teachers' Union Speech Squashing Lawsuit–Battaglieri v. Mackinac Center for Public Policy

CFTC Internet and Software Licensing–Taucher v. Born

New Orleans Bookseller Ban–Wexler v. City of New Orleans

Federal Micro-Radio Restrictions–Roy Neset v. United States of America

Mesa, Ariz. Sign Ordinance–Salib v. City of Mesa

Other First Amendment Issues

Zillow–Arizona Bureaucrats Launch Attack on Free Speech

Amicus Briefs–"Friend of the Court" Briefs filed by IJ

Federal Electioneering Communications Ban–FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life

Washington Paycheck Protections–Washington v. Washington Education Association and Davenport v. Washington Education Association

Vermont’s Campaign Expenditure and Contribution Limits–Randall v. Sorrell

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