CRIMINAL CASE: Commonwealth v. Ruffino, No. _____ (Mass. Dist. Ct., New Bedford filed Nov. 22, 2009).

Status: Pending.

Massachusetts police arrested Matthew Ruffino and Jason Foley after they allegedly posted a rap video on YouTube and MySpace that curses Ruffino's former probation officer and a state police trooper who ticketed Ruffino for driving with a suspended license. Both are cited by name in the video, followed by sounds of gunshots.

Ruffino and Foley are charged with threats to commit a crime, threats to use a firearm and witness intimidation. Both pleaded not guilty.  On Nov. 30, they were denied bail.

Links and Court Documents:
Bail denied for local pair charged with threatening law enforcement officials in rap video (South Coast Today, Dec. 1, 2009)
Rap Video Threat Suspects Plead Not Guilty, More Arrests Possible (Associated Press, Nov. 23, 2009)
Singers arrested for YouTube video threatening cops (Boston Herald, Nov. 24, 2009)
508 Productions test First Amendment limits (South Coast Today, Nov. 24, 2009)

Brain Research Labs v. Clark, No. CGC-09-491932 (Cal. Super., San Fransisco County filed Aug. 27, 2009).
Status: Special motion to strike pending.

After filing a class action lawsuit against the makers of dietary supplement Procera AVH, the law firm Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley posted a video on YouTube titled "Beware of false claims made by a so-called dietary supplement Procera AVH," featuring partner Thomas Clarke Jr. warning of alleged dangers of the supplement.

Procera AVH maker Brain Research Labs then sued Clarke and the firm for libel over statements in the video.  The defendants responded with a special motion to strike the lawsuit under California's anti-SLAPP statute.  The court heard argument on the motion on Nov. 20.

Links and Court Documents:
Class Action Target Sues Law Firm for Defamation (The Recorder, Nov. 23, 2009)
>> YouTube video
>> Complaint