Articles

California threatens to shut down small booksellers

May 11, 2017 | By ANASTASIA BODEN

Today we filed this First Amendment lawsuit on behalf of beloved Bay Area bookstore Book Passage, and its co-owner, Bill Petrocelli. Book Passage is a hub of literary activity and free expression.  In addition to selling books, it hosts over 700 author events a year—in which authors give talks, read passages, interact with readers, and sign ...

Articles

California threatens to shut down book signings and therefore small booksellers

May 11, 2017 | By ANASTASIA BODEN

Today we filed this First Amendment lawsuit on behalf of beloved Bay Area bookstore Book Passage, and its co-owner, Bill Petrocelli. Book Passage is a hub of literary activity and free expression.  In addition to selling books, it hosts over 700 author events a year—in which authors give talks, read passages, interact with readers, and auto ...

Articles

Weekly litigation update — May 13, 2017

May 13, 2017 | By JOSHUA THOMPSON

PLF fights for booksellers’ First Amendment rights On Thursday, PLF filed a major civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Book Passage, a bookstore in the Bay Area. The lawsuit challenges a California statute that requires businesses that sell signed items to demonstrate the authenticity of the signatures. This is a particular problem for bookstore ...

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Mark Hamill vs. Autographed Memorabilia : The Revenge of the Dark Side

July 06, 2017 | By ANASTASIA BODEN

Our friends at Reason have posted this excellent video on Mark Hamill’s effort to destroy small booksellers save kids from the menace that is fake Mark Hamill autographs.  Hamill’s legislative efforts resulted in a law so burdensome that it threatens to shut down bookstores across California.  We’re representing Bill Petrocelli ...

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California Legislature to consider two bills that repeal the unconstitutional autograph law

July 06, 2017 | By JOSHUA THOMPSON

Back in May, Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit on behalf of Book Passage and Bill Petrocelli. The lawsuit challenged a newly-enacted law that made the sale of autographed books unconscionably difficult . As we explained at the time, the statute was ostensibly adopted to protect individuals from fraud when they purchase sports or entertainmen ...

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Governor signs bill making book signings legal again

October 14, 2017 | By ANASTASIA BODEN

Bibliophiles and liberty lovers, rejoice! Governor Brown signed a bill that exempts books from California’s draconian autograph law. … ...