Mike Saliba advises us that the Michigan 8, the eight elected persons of the Libertarian Party of Michigan who are now being sued by the Libertarian National Committee, have issued the following statement:
“We are pleased to announce that the University of Illinois College of Law’s First Amendment Clinic is joining our legal team to represent us in the ongoing case, Libertarian National Committee, Inc. v. Saliba, Case No 5:23-cv-11074 (E.D. Mich.). The mission of the Clinic is to support freedom of expression and civic engagement by enhancing law students’ understanding of the First Amendment and providing a resource for organizations, students, journalists, and citizens defending and advancing First Amendment protections.
It is crucial to note that on August 24, 2023, a district court in the Eastern District of Michigan imposed a preliminary injunction that restricts us from using the “Libertarian Party” designation in relation to our political endeavors. We respectfully contest this decision and have taken measures to appeal it. (See Libertarian National Committee, Inc. v. Saliba, Case No 5:23-cv-11074 (E.D. Mich.), ECF No 21, 24).
Furthermore, we have sought a stay on the enforcement of this preliminary injunction. Our firm belief is that trademark protections were never designed to limit political speech. Enforcing such restrictions deprives individuals of their political identity and curtails the essential free speech embodied in political fundraising.
Joseph,
The particularly sad part is that most members of the Misses Caucus at large, and as such the LNC, claim to be in favor of eliminating IP laws.
“Most libertarians have supported the elimination of intellectual “property” rights ”
Of course, the current LNC doesn’t represent the views of “most libertarians”. 🙁
The Naked Sheriff here is wrong. All political parties and issue organizations protect their organization from anyone who would claim to represent them (or be them). Happens all the time. In this case, this is calling it “IP”. But fraud is what this case comes down to.
Of course, Libertarians have long considered fraud to be a violation of the libertarian ethics.
The LP is the only U.S. Political Party that claims a Trademark on the name of their Party, and it’s really fucking stupid.
Regardless of any established case law, this is one more in a long list of reasons all Intellectual Property Laws should be appealed. Most libertarians have supported the elimination of intellectual “property” rights since at least the early 20th century.