Ninth Circuit: First Amendment

The Ninth Circuit has upheld a lower court ruling dismissing the claims of Sergeant Jeffrey S. Sarver that the film The Hurt Locker infringes his rights of publicity under California Civil  Code section 3344. Mr. Sarver, wrote  Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain, would need to demonstrate a compelling state interest into prohibiting the speech of the filmmakers in order to proceed with his suit, because the statute is content-based.

More here from the Hollywood Reporter.