Electronic Frontier Foundation reports that an
Anti-SLAPP bill has been introduced in the House, by a bipartisan group. The
story by Sofia Cope is here. It will be called the “Speak Free Act of 2015”
as introduced by Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), link here.
One of the most important provisions would allow
defendants in purported SLAPP suits in states without SLAPP laws or weak SLAPP
laws to federal court, where judges would follow certain guidelines of
reasonableness in dismissing cases.
These standards include “actual malice” in speech, as well as Section
230, and the protection of anonymous speakers.
It would be an interesting question if people posting negative (and
sometimes anonymous) reviews on Yelp! And Angie’s List could have cases
dismissed by a federal court this way.
It sounds as if it would.
Above is some more discussion of Caifornia’s law now,
but this is advice to potential plaintiffs!
“Be very careful!”
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