Opinion ID: 1456813
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Right to Communicate Impaired without Originals

Text: Kaczynski argues that the sale of his original writings violates the First Amendment. Kaczynski claims that his right to communicate the information contained in the papers will be impaired because it will be impossible to establish the authenticity of the photocopies and they will be of little value. Kaczynski's argument essentially reveals its own flawhe can still communicate any ideas contained in the documents without the originals, the originals are just worth more. He does not explain how his freedom of speech or expression is at all curtailed by receiving copies of his documents (or having copies delivered to his designee). Moreover, he admitted below and in his opening brief that receiving a full set of copies was a less restrictive alternative that would provide him with an alternative channel for communicating his ideas. The First Amendment protects ideas and the freedom to express them. See, e.g., Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476, 484, 77 S.Ct. 1304, 1 L.Ed.2d 1498 (1957) (the First Amendment was fashioned to assure unfettered interchange of ideas); Thomas v. Collins, 323 U.S. 516, 537, 65 S.Ct. 315, 89 L.Ed. 430 (1945) (free trade in ideas includes opportunity to persuade); Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U.S. 88, 102, 60 S.Ct. 736, 84 L.Ed. 1093 (1940) (discussing historical importance of freedom of discussion). Kaczynski cites no authority for the proposition that the original pieces of paper on which his ideas were written are independently deserving of constitutional protection. Cf. Nixon v. Warner Commc'ns, Inc., 435 U.S. 589, 608-09, 98 S.Ct. 1306, 55 L.Ed.2d 570 (1978) (no First Amendment right to physical originals of audio tapes where reporters received transcripts of tapes and could communicate contents to public if desired). Kaczynski offers instead practical, forensic considerations for why the originals are more valuable, but no explanation as to how his right to free speech or freedom of expression is impinged by their sale. [9] We therefore reject his argument that the sale of the originals violates the First Amendment.