Policy
Paper 2002
Through a series of essays, monographs and
policy papers, the Center seeks to educate policy makers, academics
and the general public on subject matters affecting individual freedom.
Free
Speech in a Commercial World: The Nike Paradox
By D. Eric Schippers
"Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech..."
James
Madison penned the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to
the U.S. Constitution to provide express protection for the fundamental
right to speak in a free and open society. Despite the simplicity
of Madisons words, the notion of free speech, particularly
as it applies to corporate entities, has eluded easy definition
and has been the subject of endless legal and political debate....[more]
Free
Speech Means Not Having to Play "Mother May I?" with the
Government
By
Erik S. Jaffe, Esq.
On
Monday, the Supreme Court confirmed what most people not working
for the government intuitively understand: Forcing people to get
permission from the government in order to speak to their fellow
citizens violates the First Amendment. In its decision in Watchtower
Bible & Tract Society of New York v. Village of Stratton, No.
00-1737 (June 17, 2002), the Court struck down a village ordinance
that required persons wishing to engage in door-to-door advocacy
first to register with the Village and obtain a permit...[more]
Center
urges West Virginia Mayor to Stop Infringing on Residents' Constitutional
Right to Free Speech
In
response to several calls from concerned citizens in Westover, West
Virginia, the Center for Individual Freedom faxed a letter on April
18, 2002, to Westover Mayor Suzanne Riffon Kenney, urging her to
reconsider her crusade to remove signs from the private property
of residents and requesting that the local legislative body amend
its sign ordinance to comport with constitutional protections...[more]
To read
the letter, please click here
"Taking"
Away Music Copyrights:
Does Compulsory Licensing of Music on the Internet Violate the Fifth
Amendments Takings Clause?
By Laurie Messerly
Edited by Renee Giachino
In recent years, music lovers have
discovered vast access to free music on the Internet. This includes
not only free listening, but also free downloading of their favorite
songs and free copying of choice music. Companies such as Napster
gained almost instant notoriety because they provided users with
the ability to trade or share copies of sound recordings through
centralized file sharing. However, the Internet file sharing of
often-unlicensed sound recordings has many in the music industry
seeing red. According to the copyright holders of these sound recordings,
file-sharing services, such as Napster, are promoting widespread
"piracy."...[more]
Legislative
vs. Executive Branch: The Clash Over Access to Information
By
Renee L. Giachino, General Counsel, CFIF
A great deal of news coverage has been devoted to the collapse
of Enron and the events surrounding its demise. Among the most controversial
stories has been Vice President Dick Cheneys refusal to turn
over to the General Accounting Office (GAO) -- Congress investigative
arm...[more]
Center
Submits Comments on Proposed Microsoft Settlement
By Renee L. Giachino, General Counsel, CFIF
"Assessing
the benefits and costs of this settlement is difficult, but clearly
the public interest is better served by an expeditious settlement
than continued litigation
" [more]
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