California Law Against SLAPPs

In the 1990s, the California Legislature might have had a very weird sense of humor

In 1992, the California legislature enacted a law to protect free speech rights of all Californians, called the anti-SLAPP law.

SLAPPs are "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Policy"

Which are lawsuits brought to harass or intimidate people who are speaking out on public issues, or petitioning the government.

Generally, they are used by corporations and celebrities

Like Barbara Streisand. Sony. Chevron. All kinds of great people and things.

An amendment to this law allowed for SLAPPback lawsuits...

... where a SLAPP-target can sue the SLAPPer for the SLAPP

If the SLAPPback is successful, the SLAPP-target is often awarded a substantial recovery

Not only is this law fun to say out loud, it's also very useful.

You SLAPP me, I'll SLAPPback!!