freedom of speech Articles

Freedom of speech is the concept of the inherent human right to voice one’s opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. “Speech” is not limited to public speaking and is generally taken to include other forms of expression. The right is preserved in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is granted formal recognition by the laws of most nations. Nonetheless the degree to which the right is upheld in practice varies greatly from one nation...

Parody Videos In Online Marketing – Fair Use Or Illegal?

In our continued "Is That Legal" video series, I have entertainment law attorney and friend-of-ReelSEO, Gordon Firemark, answer a fan's question about making parody videos of professional wrestling for their own marketing activities. 

YouTube Felony Conviction Unconstitutional, Says First Amendment Expert

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) President Greg Lukianoff has protested Muskegon County's felony criminal charge of child pornography brought against 21-year old YouTube performer Evan Emory as "an overreaction and "at odds with Supreme Court precedent." Greg helped explain why local parents and ...

Can I Make Up Stories About Celebrities in My Web Marketing Videos?

What if your idea for a marketing video involved creating a fictional character, telling fictitious stories, about real people? Could you be opening yourself up to a lawsuit, even if the purpose is to be entertaining and humorous? We had one of our own followers ...

You Accused? The YouTube Saga and Criminal Case of Evan Emory (Part 1)

I interviewed Terry J. Nolan, the criminal defense attorney representing Evan Emory – who is the young adult arrested, jailed, and arraigned in a Michigan court in Muskegon County on child pornography charges for dubbing footage of grade school kids into a video intended for ...

How To Defend Your Reputation Against Online Video Defamation

ReelSEO's Grant Crowell interviews digital forensic analyst and Internet libel specialist Michael Roberts about how a non-attorney like himself has helped an increasing number of victims of harassment and defamation online, and why he argues that our existing free speech laws need to be changed.

What The Hamas "Online Video Threat" Can Teach Us About Freedom of Speech

ReelSEO's Grant Crowell talks with attorney Mark Rosenberg about the recent international media attention and public outcry over an animated cartoon posted online by the military wing of the political group Hamas, and why even “psychological warfare” with online video is and should be protected free speech in this country under the First Amendment.

Best Practices In Fair Use for Online Video

American University's Center for Social Media today released a white paper that details guidelines for using copyrighted material in online video. Fair use is often misunderstood as there are complex laws that govern fair use.  A set of clear guidelines was absolutely needed. The first ...