Verdict No. 6 · Sunday, November 8, 2026

The five rulings

What the courts decided.

The rude clothing brand

1Iancu v. BrunettiUS Supreme Court, 2019

2Iancu v. Brunetti (2019): The Court held 6 to 3 that the ban on immoral or scandalous marks violated the First Amendment.

The music hall fire

1Taylor v CaldwellEnglish Court of Queen's Bench, 1863

2Taylor v Caldwell (1863): The court held the contract depended on the hall existing, so both sides were excused once it burned.

The Seinfeld quiz book

1Castle Rock Entertainment, Inc. v. Carol Publishing Group Inc.US Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, 1998

2Castle Rock v. Carol Publishing (1998): The court held the book infringed, because the 'facts' were invented by the show's writers, and the book was not a fair use.

The Mickey Mouse Act

1Eldred v. AshcroftUS Supreme Court, 2003

2Eldred v. Ashcroft (2003): The Court upheld the law 7 to 2. Twenty extra years is still a limited time, and Congress has wide discretion to set copyright terms.

The ruined farm

1Peevyhouse v. Garland Coal & Mining Co.Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1962

2Peevyhouse v. Garland Coal (1962): The court limited damages to $300, the lost value of the farm, since the repair cost was far out of proportion to the benefit.

Five new cases every day at midnight.

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