False Speech within the Law’s Dominion: Defamation through a First Amendment Lens

Image credit: Element 5 Digital By Ryan Moore, Vol. 21 Staff Writer Introduction The 2020 presidential election provided anything but the comfortable rhythm long-time viewers of election night coverage have come to expect. Americans went to bed on election night without a declared victor, mostly due to the prevalence of mail-in ballots in the … Continue reading False Speech within the Law’s Dominion: Defamation through a First Amendment Lens

Your Name Here™: Who Has the Right to Trademark a Name?

August 26, 2022September 26, 2022 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

By Gabriela Monasterio, Staff Writer Vol. 20 The Federal Circuit announced on February 24, 2022 that the Lanham Act’s ban on trademarking names is unconstitutional as content-based discrimination. This reversed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) decision, which denied an application for the phrase “Trump Too Small” because it contained the name of a … Continue reading Your Name Here™: Who Has the Right to Trademark a Name?

Is Trump Really Guilty of Incitement?

May 13, 2021August 9, 2022 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

By: Hannah Simmons, Staff Member, Vol. 19 On February 13, 2021, former President Donald Trump was acquitted of the impeachment charge alleging that he incited the United States Capitol riots. Even though the Senate did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump for his role in inciting the mob to attack the capitol, … Continue reading Is Trump Really Guilty of Incitement?

NEWSFLASH! 2/24-3/9

March 23, 2020 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

As the world still reels from the COVID-19 outbreak, UNC Law (and its many student-led organizations, like First Amendment Law Review) is learning how to best react to the virus. Accordingly, our journal (and all of the effort it requires--writing, editing, staff meetings, and the like) is now operating remotely. We appreciate your patience as … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 2/24-3/9

NEWSFLASH! 2/24-3/9

March 9, 2020 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

Happy Monday! Although FALR staffers are enjoying a week of Spring Break, First Amendment doesn't stop! Here are some recent headlines: The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed a bill that prohibits the state from contracting with any companies that boycott Israel. The law states that the Oklahoma “shall not enter into a contract with … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 2/24-3/9

NEWSFLASH! 1/12-1/27

January 28, 2020 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

Thanks for checking out this week’s Newsflash! Be sure to also check out our latest edition of FALR, Volume 18 Fall Issue. Today the Fourth Circuit will hear arguments concerning the constitutionality of President Trump’s travel ban on immigration from predominantly Muslim countries. Lawyers asserting that the ban is unconstitutional are arguing that it targets … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 1/12-1/27

NEWSFLASH! 7/8-8/5

August 5, 2019August 24, 2019 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

The Knight First Amendment Institute recently filed a lawsuit against President Trump alleging that he violated the First Amendment when he blocked seven Twitter users from following his account after they criticized his administration and its policies. The suit argued that Trump’s social media account is a “public forum” under the First Amendment and thus … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 7/8-8/5

Newsflash 02/04 – 02/18

February 18, 2019February 18, 2019 ~ falrunc ~ Leave a comment

Trump calls for "retribution" over this weeks SNL opening skit with Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Trump. Trump's demand for retribution was met with a wave of reminders that the First Amendment allows for freedom of speech. A security guard for an LA synagogue shot a transgender woman in the leg when she began live-streaming the … Continue reading Newsflash 02/04 – 02/18