Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ADVERTISING NEWS: House Judiciary panel to hear testimony on anti-SLAPP bill, (Jun 17, 2016)

The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice has scheduled a June 22 legislative hearing on the proposed Speak Free Act (HR 2304), which would authorize a special motion to dismiss early in SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation), as well as authorizing a stay on discovery in such cases. Scheduled witnesses are Aaron Schur, senior director–litigation at Yelp Inc.; Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Cardozo School of Law professor Alexander Reinert; and Laura Prather, a partner at Haynes and Boone LLP. Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va), Constitution subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks (R-Ariz), and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex) said in a joint statement, "The use of social media and the internet have opened the door for Americans to express their beliefs and ideas to a wider audience. SLAPPs are designed to intimidate Americans from speaking about matters of public concern, potentially violating constitutional protections such as the right to free speech and the right to petition one’s government." The hearing is slated to begin at 1 p.m. in Room 2226 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

News: Advertising