blufive: (Default)
blufive ([personal profile] blufive) wrote2003-01-05 10:22 am

Freedom to lie?

This article discusses a very interesting case likely to go before the US Supreme Court in the near future.

Essentially, Nike is arguing that it has a free-speech right to knowingly deceive the public. The Californian Supreme Court has already ruled against them. Paragons of virtue like Exxon/Mobil, Monsanto, Microsoft and Pfizer are lining up to support Nike.

If Nike wins, corporations can lie all they want. We have enough trouble with that already, despite advertising regulations. But if Nike loses... life gets intersting... not least because this case might have repercussions for corporate donation of money to US Political parties.

[link: Doc Searls]