Kirby copyright case and free speech

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/01/kirby-family-attorneys-respond-to-marvel-lawsuit/ Presents a new legal battle regarding copyright law and the media. While copyright law has not yet been discussed in the graduate class, I feel that this will be a big case. While not completely similar to Superman's Siegel family vs DC/Time Warner case, both the Kirby heirs and the Siegel family have the same lawyer. The Kirby case may simply end with a settlement deal due to Disney (the new owners of Marvel) wanting to keep the full rights to the Kirby characters mentioned in the heirs claims. On the other hand like the Superman case it could stay in the courts for years, with neither side giving, up with or without settlements. No matter what happens this is a case that most likely will affect creator rights and copyright law.

Now regarding free speech, which is the recent topic covered in class, I feel that more free speech should be allowed in public schools such as minor curse words like crap. Crap which is a pretty harmless word when compared to other words should not be considered outside the rights of free speech. I do think racial slurs should be banned. Racial slurs are not political speech and too often they are presented in books, jokes, and other media sources that have no educational value of teaching it is wrong to hate someone for looking different. Major curse words like the f-word should be banned from the radio and public high schools on down to pre-school, but never college.