In Koch spoof case, judge favors first amendment
A federal judge’s ruling today in Utah dismissing Koch Industries’ lawsuit against a group of anonymous climate-change activists known as Youth for Climate Truth is an important victory for free speech online.
The judge ruled that Youth for Climate Truth had a First Amendment right to issue its satirical press release and website – in which the group impersonated Koch and announced that the company had 
reversed its position on climate change – in an effort to call attention to Koch’s bankrolling efforts to deny climate change. The U.S. District Court for the District of Utah rejected all of Koch’s legal claims, which alleged trademark infringement, unfair competition, cybersquatting, computer hacking and breach of the company website’s terms of use. The judge also issued an order barring Koch from using any identifying information it already obtained by subpoena about the anonymous group.
We are gratified that the court affirmed our clients’ First Amendment right to engage in anonymous political speech and rejected Koch’s baseless legal theories.
This lawsuit was a well-financed attempt by Koch to bully its political opponents into submission. The court was right to dismiss this lawsuit, which was based on a harmless prank.
This important precedent will prevent future lawsuits aimed at stifling political speech.
Deepak Gupta is a Public Citizen litigator.
May 10, 2011 @ 9:00 am
NOTE :: “co2science.org” :: is another Fake “Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide” – Koch Funded Denial Front Group || http://greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/center-for-the-study-of-carbon/
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co2science.org :: Yet Another Fake “Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide” – Koch Funded Denial Front Group !!!
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$60,000 received from Koch foundations 2005-2009 [Total Koch foundation grants 1997-2009: $85,000]
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http://greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/center-for-the-study-of-carbon/
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http://Ecodelmar.org/For_Every_Action
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The Koch Brothers finally lose one, to satirists | eats shoots 'n leaves
May 11, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
[…] Read the rest. […]
Money and Democracy update: Kochs lose, IRS investigates, N.Y. race attracts big bucks « CitizenVox
May 13, 2011 @ 3:32 pm
[…] Koch loses attempt to unmask critics A federal judge in Utah has tossed out a lawsuit filed by Koch Industries against a group of anonymous climate change activists. The judge ruled that Youth for Climate Change, who were represented by Public Citizen, had a first Amendment right to issue a satirical press release about Koch and set up a mock website in which the group impersonated Koch and announced that the company had reversed its position on climate change. The court rejected all of Koch’s legal claims. […]