Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Ohio

I have patented a device that reflects the sun as a beam of spectral (rainbow) light. As a protest tool for LGBT civil rights, this bright light could be projected at offices and windows of anti-gay organizations, politicians, churches, or at anti-gay protesters and their signage, on a sunny day. Are these activities 1) protected political speech? Or 2) illegal disruption of a business, and/or harassment? 3) Could they be a violation of city ordinance for disturbing the peace or creating a hazard?

I must be able to substantiate the legal status of this use (protest tool) of my invention to potential users, media, and manufacturers.

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Asked on 7/24/12, 5:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Jacobs Jacobs & Lowder

I think that a good protection for you is to tell people in the manual that it is not intended for illegal purposes. This statement begins to protect you from a lawsuit. I dont think it should be sold with your suggestions of how to use it as a protest tool Projecting a rainbow has its own simple purpose without needing to encourage illegal acts. I think I would have to know more specifically where the light appears on a building to determine if the light "trespassed" on a person's property. Can you only see it from one angle? I'd love to see it work. 216.952.1990

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Answered on 7/24/12, 6:01 pm


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