Random music news for Monday, October 6, 2025
When I was in Singapore, I saw a mobile phone company offering a 750 GB/month data plan for about $20. Canadians getting hosed when it comes to data. On that happy note, here’s
Read MoreFirst Amendment
Federal RAP Act would prohibit use of rap lyrics in criminal prosecutions
After legislators in New York took on a battle to limit, or prohibit, the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal prosecutions, a federal bill has been introduced that would take the
Read More
NY takes first big step toward preventing lyrics from being used as evidence
The New York State Senate on Tuesday passed a law that would make it much more difficult to submit rap lyrics in criminal trials. The bill, believed to be the first of its
Read More
Rap lyrics as evidence? New York legislators want to stop the practice
Here’s something you don’t see every day: Two state senators in New York have introduced a bill to stop the use of rap lyrics as evidence in trials. Brad Hoylman and Jamaal Bailey,
Read More
Here’s a trailer on the doc about ICP vs the FBI
If you’ve been following the news out of the Insane Posse Camp over the last decade, you’ll know that there was a period of time when ICP’s followers, the Juggalos, were considered a
Read More
Grand jury doesn’t move forward on “School Shooter” song charges
It wasn’t a great idea, but Randy Ross’ video and song called “School Shooter” was not a direct threat and, therefore, he did not commit a crime, a grand jury determined Friday. The
Read MoreRapper facing terroristic threat charges for song titled “School Shooter”
Roughly two weeks after the Parkland shooting in Florida, a New York man is facing felony charges after a song suggested he was going to shoot up a high school. Echoing a case
Read More
Juggalos aren’t a gang, ok?
Congratulations, Juggalos. You and your ilk cannot be legally classified as a gang. There’s a court case saying as much. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed a case filed by the
Read More
A Coda for The Slants
It’s been a helluva week for Simon Tam and The Slants. On Monday, when the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favour of the band, finding that the US Patent and Trademark Office violated
Read More
Score One for the First Amendment: The Slants Win
“The disparagement clause violates the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause. Contrary to the Government’s contention, trademarks are private, not government speech. Because the ‘Free Speech Clause… does not regulate government speech’…the government is
Read More
Simon Tam, a member of the band The Slants, speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
BREAKING: US Supreme Court rules in favor of The Slants
In a unanimous decision Monday morning, the US Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in favor of The Slants, the Portland, Oregon-based band that’s been fighting for years for the right to trademark their name.
Read More