Koch Industries Sues over Fake Press Release; Does First Amendment Protect Pranksters?
Koch Industries is asking a federal court in Utah to force two Internet companies to reveal who issued a fake press release suggesting an unexpected about-face in environmental stance by the conservative leaning conglomerate.
The press release said the conservative-leaning Koch Industries is cutting off support for groups opposing global-warming claims, the New York Times Green blog reports. It was posted on a Web address similar to the one used by Koch Industries. The company’s lawsuit (PDF), filed late last month, claims misappropriation of intellectual property, cybersquatting and unfair competition, the story says.
Public Citizen says the group that issued the release is called Youth for Climate Truth, but it is fighting release of additional information. It has filed a motion to quash, claiming the First Amendment protects the right to engage in anonymous speech, especially political speech.
