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California state senator proposes law to outlaw malicious online impersonation

donal brown August 9, 2010

In the wake of a disturbing e-mail falsely attributed to a Silicon Valley leader, A California state senator is introducing a law to make malicious e-mail impersonations a misdemeanor. -db San Francisco Chronicle August 9, 2010 By Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera Two months ago, a San Jose Mercury News reporter received a profanity-laced e-mail critical of one of her stories. More than a year before, a similar e-mail was sent to a long mailing list of hundreds

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California appeals court rules suit blocks legitimate free speech activity

donal brown August 9, 2010

A California state appeals court dismissed a suit against a filmmaker on the grounds that the suit was a SLAPP or strategic lawsuit against public participation. The court said the documentary film in question was a matter of public interest and an “activity in furtherance of the right to free speech.” -db Metropolitan News-Enterprise August 9, 2010 By Steven M. Ellis This district’s Court of Appeal on Friday threw out a lawsuit against the studio

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Texas cities blocked from joining suit against state’s open meetings law

donal brown August 9, 2010

A federal judge ruled that a group of Texas cities cannot join in the suit to overturn the state’s open meetings law because the cities have no guarantee of free speech. Seventeen public officials are challenging the constitutionality of the law that forbids a quorum deliberting behind closed doors. -db Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press August 5, 2010 By Miranda Fleschert A federal judge ruled last week that a group of Texas cities

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San Diego County: Advisory groups in unincorporated areas must comply with California open meeting laws

donal brown August 9, 2010

A California state agency has informed San Diego County that its advisory group members in unincorporated areas were public officials and must comply with state laws governing officials including open meetings laws. The County has established a number of advisory groups to tap local knowledge in setting policies.-db Ramona Sentinel August 9, 2010 By Karen Brainard San Diego County is reconsidering the structure of planning and sponsor groups in unincorporated areas after notification from the

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1st Circuit: Maine can restrict prescription info

FAC August 6, 2010

A federal appeals panel has upheld the constitutionality of a Maine law restricting medical data companies’ access to doctors’ prescription information. August 6, 2010 By The Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine —The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled this week on Maine’s law after previously upholding a similar New Hampshire law making doctors’ prescription-writing habits confidential. Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to New Hampshire’s law, allowing that

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