Along with movie-star sightings and unexpected traffic tie-ups, the influx of film and TV productions in Georgia has resulted in a stronger law against frivolous defamation lawsuits.
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation on Thursday awarded the Motion Picture Association of America for its work this year to expand Georgia’s law against so-called SLAPP suits, also known as strategic litigation against public participation.
As media lawyer Cynthia Counts describes it, a SLAPP suit “is intended to censor, intimidate or silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism.” Counts, a Duane Morris partner and board member of the First Amendment Foundation, worked on expanding Georgia’s law this year with the Motion Picture Association’s Ben Sheffner; Peter Canfield of Jones Day; Tom Clyde and Lesli Gaither of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton; Tom Harrold of Miller & Martin; Michael Wall of Comcast; and Arthur “Skin” Edge for Turner Communications.
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