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Hamilton v. Speight

Petition for certiorari denied on June 21, 2021
Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
20-1123 3rd Cir. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2020

Issues: (1) Whether the First Amendment right to free speech protects using a person’s actual likeness without permission when weighed against that person’s property, privacy and dignity rights against unauthorized use of his likeness; and (2) whether the First Amendment right to free speech protects a video game maker’s unauthorized use of a person’s face and voice in a game.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Feb 12 2021Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 18, 2021)
Feb 25 2021Waiver of right of respondent Epic Games to respond filed.
Feb 26 2021Waiver of right of respondents Lester Speight; Microsoft, Inc.; Microsoft Studios; The Coalition to respond filed.
Mar 02 2021Brief amicus curiae of Atlantic Legal Foundation filed.
Mar 10 2021DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/26/2021.
Mar 17 2021Response Requested. (Due April 16, 2021)
Mar 23 2021Motion to extend the time to file a response from April 16, 2021 to May 16, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
Mar 24 2021Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including May 17, 2021, for all respondents. See Rule 30.1.
May 17 2021Brief of respondents Lester Speight; Microsoft, Inc.; Microsoft Studios; The Coalition in opposition filed.
May 28 2021Reply of petitioner Lenwood Hamilton filed. (Distributed)
Jun 01 2021DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/17/2021.
Jun 21 2021Petition DENIED.