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Everything MLRC has published, in any publication, since 2017.

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Jun 2023

How AI “Hallucinations” Could Inflict Real-World Pain for Users

Lyndsey M. Wajert

In filing a complaint many have dubbed “the first of its kind,” a radio host in Georgia recently sued for defamation the company behind the much-buzzed-about artificial intelligence chat platform ChatGPT. And while the concept of suing an AI developer for an intent-based tort may be quite novel, the facts at issue highlight some familiar…

Jun 2023

Second Time Around, Florida Trial Court Applies Anti-SLAPP Statute to DJ’s Defamation Claims

Minch Minchin

A Florida trial judge dismissed a Tampa disc-jockey’s SLAPP suit against a local radio station and rival DJ because the defamation count was based on nonactionable statements, and the additional claims were barred by Florida’s single-action rule.

Jun 2023

Pennsylvania Judge Called “QAnon-Linked” Loses False Light Lawsuit Against The Daily Beast

Seth Berlin, Kaitlin Gurney and Leslie Minora

The Court dismissed the Complaint on actual malice pleading grounds, finding that Judge Patrick had failed to allege facts that, if proven, would constitute clear and convincing evidence “that Defendants acted with actual malice when they described her as a QAnon-linked judge.”

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Jun 2023

Music Producer Is a Public Figure in High Profile Case Against Pop Star

Benjamin E. Marks and Krystel Delauney

The Court held that Gottwald is a limited-purpose public figure and must show by clear and convincing evidence that Sebert acted with actual malice when she accused him of sexual assault. It also granted summary judgment to Sebert with respect to five of the allegedly defamatory statements on the ground that they fell squarely within…

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Jun 2023

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Fights Prior Restraint on Publication of Murder Defendant’s Mental Health Report

Jean Maneke

Joseph E. Martineau, attorney with Lewis Rice LLC who is defending the Post-Dispatch, argued that there is a long history of courts rejecting any effort to restrain publication under such circumstances, given that the pleading was lawfully obtained by the reporter in its quick response to the Court.

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Jun 2023

Daniel Ellsberg: A Personal Remembrance of an American Hero

George Freeman

Though in our volatile and combative times, many journalists – and their sources – are exceptionally courageous, and often sacrifice their well-being for their profession and causes, Ellsberg was the unequaled model for such behavior.

Jun 2023

Counterman v. Colorado: Good News for Sullivan Fans

Jeff Hermes

The Court says explicitly that whether a statement is a threat does not depend on the intent of the speaker but upon the message received by the listener. However, scienter amounting to subjective recklessness is required in order to avoid chilling effects on other speech.

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Jun 2023

Ten Questions to a Media Lawyer

Matthew Schafer

Paramount lawyer on his start in the business, the best career advice he was ever given, AI, recent reading and more.

May 2023

Connecticut Supreme Court Affirms Right of Immediate Appeal of Anti-SLAPP Decisions

Alexa Millinger

Connecticut joins 16 states in holding that anti-SLAPP motions to dismiss may be immediately appealed rather than waiting for the conclusion of the case.

May 2023

A Texas-Sized Battle to Protect Citizens Rights to Speak Freely

Laura Lee Prather and Reid Pillifant

The quiet end for SB 896 came after a noisy lobbying effort by media, advocacy, consumer, and business groups to kill the bill.

May 2023

Virginia Court Dismisses Homeowners’ Case Over B-Roll Footage in Jan. 6 News Story

Hilary Oran

Though courts rarely find that a party has been fraudulently joined, the court did so in this instance.

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May 2023

Virginia Federal Court Grants Gannett’s Motion to Dismiss Defamation Lawsuit Brought by Prominent Anti-Vaxxer and Covid Critic

Michael J. Grygiel

The threshold dismissal was particularly welcome — and appropriate — because the Complaint targeted the newspaper’s reporting on a newsworthy community event implicating vitally important public health issues.

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May 2023

Proposed Florida Defamation Legislation

Sarah Papadelias and Rachel Fugate

One proposal that was introduced during the session was an effort to overhaul defamation law in Florida by making it “easier” to sue media outlets in Florida.

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May 2023

A Brief Note Regarding the Recent AI Debacle in Federal Court

Jeff Hermes

An attorney’s recent debacle with AI was based on a basic and very common misunderstanding of what a tool like ChatGPT, powered by a large language model, is and does. This article attempts to clear things up.

May 2023

Ninth Circuit Holds Senator Warren’s Letter to Amazon Was Protected as Persuasive Speech

Margaret N. Strouse

Although Sen. Warren used “strong words,” her word choice and tone were a persuasive “call to action” consistent with elected officials’ right to “forcefully criticize” other speakers.

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May 2023

“Metabirkins” NFT Trial Tests Multiple Legal Theories

Toby Butterfield and Stephanie Smith

Hermes International sought legal remedies against Los Angeles artist Mason Rothschild for his creation and sale of NFTs, without obtaining Hermes’ authorization, depicting digital images of revised versions of Hermes’ iconic “Birkin” handbag.

May 2023

The Supreme Court’s Next Target: Social Media

Clay Calvert

In late April, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases affecting citizens’ ability to sue government officials who block them on social media. When the court tackles O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed (likely this fall), it should embrace a rule that enhances, not constrains, the First Amendment right to engage with…

May 2023

Ohio Court of Appeals Affirms Dismissal of Police Chief’s Defamation Claims Linked to True Crime Podcast

Kevin T. Shook

The court of appeals affirmed that plaintiff lacked evidence of actual malice and also found certain statements were not actionable under Ohio’s innocent construction rule.

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May 2023

Court Dismissed Defamation Case Arising from Environmental Advocacy Group’s Campaign to Protect Canadian Forests

Chelsea Kelly and Laura Handman

After seven years of litigation, court ruled that defendants had not acted with actual malice and dismissed the case in full.

May 2023

Court Dismisses Trump’s Tortious Interference Claim Against The New York Times

Samantha C. Hamilton

Judge Reed’s decision is especially important for reporters who have sources with NDAs.