Impact of ACD's Work

The passage of Rachel's Law in New York State in 2008, the federal SPEECH Act in 2010, and similar legislation in various states have resulted in an international effort to raise awareness of the threat of libel tourism and its chilling effect on free speech. See some articles and related materials below.

The SPEECH Act, A View From Abroad

Read this article by Harry Melkonian from the Media Law Resource Center Bulletin, August 2011.

The SPEECH Act Works

June 30, 2011

"Dear Dr. Ehrenfeld:

I wanted to take a moment to make you aware that last week a US District Court in Florida issued what I believe to be the first judgment for declaratory relief granted under The SPEECH Act. The lawsuit, filed in January of this year, was styled:

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE DIVISION

INVESTORSHUB.COM, INC., a
Florida corporation, MATTHEW BROWN,
an individual, and ROBERT ZUMBRUNNEN,
an individual,
Plaintiff,

vs.

MINA MAR GROUP, INC., a foreign
corporation, MINA MAR GROUP INC. (OF
THE USA), n/k/a, EMRY CAPITAL GROUP,
INC., a foreign corporation, and MIRO
ZECEVIC, an individual,
Defendants.
____________________________________/
Case No.: 4:11cv9-RH/WS

The defendants (the foreign plaintiffs) originally tried to defend the US lawsuit but later amended some of their answers, removed all of their affirmative defenses and subsequently agreed to a Stipulated Judgment.

I would like to personally thank you for your tireless efforts in helping to bring about this important new law to protect American citizens and CDA protected websites from libel tourists.

Kindest Regards,
Dave Lawrence"

Read the judgment to which Mr. Lawrence refers.