UCSB Blinks

For the past several months UCSB has been threatening the Dark Side of UCSB with civil litigation and criminal prosecution. Last week the Dark Side received written notice from the University's counsel that UCSB would not pursue the matter further.

The Dark Side had refused the University's demands to stop using the initials "UCSB." UCSB then made additional demands and the Dark Side hired legal counsel. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) also came to the assistance of the Dark Side. Coincidentally, the very day that FIRE faxed a letter to Chancellor Yang, UCSB decided to not pursue the matter.

The UC system has been using an obscure education code section to threaten people who attempt to publicly dissent. One of the founders of the Dark Side expressed his disappointment with the victory. James Baron said, "I was looking forward to having a court declare UCSB's actions unlawful. A court ruling in our favor that struck down the education code section that the UC system has been using to intimidate people would have been a great victory for free speech. It would appear to me that the University of California knows that they cannot enforce their threats against someone who will fight. Without the court ruling it will take longer to get the message out. The Dark Side of UCSB is offering financial, legal and moral support to anyone who is attacked by the University of California."

Baron went on to say, "UCSB and the UC system have a long history of stifling free speech with threats of trademark infringement litigation and threats of criminal prosecution for violation of the education code. Hopefully they will now stop these odious practices."