Media & Privacy
SmithAmundsen offers experienced, efficient, and proactive counsel on a wide range of legal issues including media liability and the right to privacy. Our extensive practice includes counseling (and when needed litigation) on media-related issues including defamation (libel and slander), copyright and trademark infringement, prior restraints, news gathering methods, challenges to political and commercial speech, and restrictions imposed upon Internet content and e-commerce. In addition, we offer representation for invasion of privacy claims including misappropriation, false light, intrusion, and the improper disclosure of private facts. Each allegation is carefully evaluated in light of the vast number of defenses and privileges recognized under the current state of the law, along with the First Amendment governing our right to free expression. We devote an equal share of our time counseling clients on the risks associated with on-air broadcasts and news/entertainment publications and help clients minimize unnecessary litigation, address news gathering concerns, and ensure legal compliance prior to publication or broadcast. 

We have experience structuring confidentiality agreements, validating campaign advertisements, and drafting formal agreements to ensure the privacy of trade secrets or the development of original works of art. We establish privacy policies within an organization to support and protect our client’s investment and prevent confidentiality breaches.  
Our areas of practice include:   
  • Defamation (Libel/Slander)
  • Misapprapriation
  • Intrusion
  • False Light
  • Improper Disclosure of Private Facts
  • Personal Rights of Privacy and Publicity
  • Civil Conspiracy
  • Censorship
  • Liability Arising from Political Speech
  • News Gathering Issues
  • Pre-Broadcast/Publication Counsel
URL: /practice_details.aspx?p=33