Does “Hate Speech” Get Copyright Protection?

Talk Radio Network-syndicated host Michael Savage has filed suit in California against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for copyright infringement, saying CAIR is using a four-plus-minute clip of Savage’s show Savage Nation for fundraising purposes.

In those excerpts, from his Oct. 29 show, Savage calls the Koran a “book of hate” and says, “I don’t wanna hear anymore about Islam. I don’t wanna hear one more word about Islam. Take your religion and shove it up your behind. I’m sick of you.”

After those comments were publicized, says CAIR, a number of advertisers left the Savage show, including Sears, Universal Orlando Resorts, AutoZone, Citrix, TrustedID, JC Penney, OfficeMax, Wal-Mart and AT&T. More on this story here.