Washington, D.C. — TechNet filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in NetChoice v. Griffin, alongside the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA). The brief supports NetChoice’s challenge to Arkansas’ age verification law, arguing that the state’s attempt to strip trade associations of legal standing would set a dangerous precedent for the protection of constitutional rights in the digital age.
TechNet’s filing addresses standing in the case, specifically Arkansas’ claim on appeal that trade associations do not have the legal standing to assert First Amendment challenges on behalf of their member companies and users. TechNet argues that this position is not only contrary to established case law, but also presents risks of judicial inefficiency and inconsistent case law across states and federal circuits. When states enact sweeping content moderation laws that raise censorship and privacy concerns, courts should not narrow the path to parties challenging those laws on behalf of millions of affected users.
Read TechNet’s amicus curiae brief here.
About TechNet’s Innovation Legal Center
TechNet’s Innovation Legal Center (ILC) is the voice of American innovation in the federal and state courts and the broader legal community. The ILC works to advance pro-innovation laws and regulations through effective legal advocacy, including by representing TechNet in lawsuits challenging unlawful regulatory actions at all levels, by filing amicus curiae briefs in key litigation, by intervening to defend important pro-innovation laws against legal challenges, and by leveraging our legal expertise and analysis for the benefit of judges, lawmakers, and regulators. The ILC retains some of the nation’s top litigators and advocates, ensuring effective representation for the interests of American innovators. The ILC also works with advocates, researchers, and academics to improve understanding of legal issues that are important to fostering a climate of innovation and strengthening America’s competitiveness. Mike Ward, TechNet’s Senior Vice President, leads the Center, with Bryn McDonough, TechNet’s Counsel, serving as litigation director.