NETCHOICE LLC V. PAXTON | Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse

Case: NetChoice LLC v. Paxton

1:21-cv-00840 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Filed Date: Sept. 22, 2021

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

Two trade associations filed suit against Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on September 22, 2021. Represented by private counsel, they challenged a Texas state law, H.B. 20, that placed restrictions on social media platforms with over 50 million active users in the United States within one calendar month. They targeted two sections: section 2, which implemented detailed disclosure and moderation requirements, and section 7, which made it unlawful for covered platforms to block, ban, or otherwise restrict users based on their “viewpoint.” Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the enforcement of H.B. 20’s sections 2 and 7. The case was assigned to Judge Robert Pitman.

Plaintiffs’ five claims were as follows.

The law violated platforms’ First Amendment right to editorial judgment as it both compelled expression and prohibited platforms’ direct expression. In addition, they argued the burdensome disclosure and moderation requirements were designed to chill speech for certain disfavored platforms.
The law should be voided for vagueness. Specifically, the statute's vaguely defined terms would permit arbitrary enforcement.
Various claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In violation of the Commerce Clause, the law allowed Texas to regulate and penalize out-of-state commerce as most of the platforms’ traffic occurred outside of Texas. Under the Full Faith and Credit and Due Process Clause, a state can regulate transactions only if there’s “significant contact” with the state, which Plaintiffs’ argued Texas lacked.
The law should be preempted under the Supremacy Clause and 47 U.S.C. § 230 (which protects information content providers’ ability to moderate materials). Under section 230, Congress provided broad immunity to web-based service providers for all claims stemming from publication of third-party information.
In violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, the law specifically and arbitrarily targeted certain platforms.

Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction on October 1, 2021. Plaintiffs reiterated their allegations from the complaint. In addition, they stated that platforms’ inability to moderate would cause irreparable harm through inundation with abusive, offensive, and unsafe materials, ranging from hate speech to foreign-state propaganda. As a result, users, platforms, and advertisers alike would be harmed experientially and financially.

Texas moved to dismiss the case on October 14, 2021, for lack of jurisdiction. They argued the plaintiffs lacked associational and organizational standing because plaintiffs were non-profit organizations and not the actual social media platforms targeted by H.B. 20. Further, they claimed that the platforms “attempted to shield themselves from the burdens of challenging a law they do not like by getting their lobbying groups to do it for them.”

The court both granted plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction and denied Texas’ motion to dismiss on December 1, 2021. As to the preliminary injunction, the court found that the plaintiffs had demonstrated there would be an irreparable harm as “[t]he loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.” In addition, the court determined a likelihood of success on the merits based on precedent upholding various groups' First Amendment right to editorial discretion. However, none of the cases cited explicitly applied to social media platforms. As to the motion to dismiss, the court determined the plaintiffs had established the three elements for associational standing: the association members had standing, the interests at stake matched the organization’s purpose, and the suit did not require participation of individual association members. 573 F.Supp.3d 1092.

Shortly thereafter, Texas filed an interlocutory appeal with the Fifth Circuit on December 6, 2021, appealing both the preliminary injunction and the denial of the motion to dismiss. On the same day, Texas also moved to stay the preliminary injunction in the district court, arguing that the order was overbroad as it was “not limited to the least intrusive means” and “could have been far more narrowly tailored” rather than halting enforcement of the law entirely. The following day, on December 7, 2021, plaintiffs filed a motion with the district court to stay the case pending the appeal.

On December 9, 2022, Texas’ motion to stay the preliminary injunction was denied. Plaintiffs’ motion to stay the case was only granted in part as the court declined to preemptively agree to lift the stay should the Fifth Circuit or Supreme Court alter the preliminary injunction. 2021 WL 7081434.

The Fifth Circuit summarily granted Texas’s motion to stay the District Court’s preliminary injunction pending appeal on May 11, 2022. 2022 WL 1537249. However, the U.S. Supreme Court summarily vacated the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the preliminary injunction May 31, 2022. 142 S.Ct. 1715.

The Fifth Circuit issued an opinion on September 16, 2022. They vacated the preliminary injunction and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with the opinion. First, the court held that platforms’ act of censoring speech based on user’s viewpoints was not protected speech and thus did not trigger First Amendment protections. Second, it held that H.B. 20 prohibiting censorship of speech did not violate platforms’ First Amendment right to editorial discretion. Platforms were likened to “indispensable conduits for transporting information” rather than newspapers, where the right to editorial discretion originally derived. Third, it found that H.B. 20 advanced Texas’s important interest in protecting the free exchange of ideas and information. Finally, the court held that platforms were not entitled to pre-enforcement facial relief against H.B. 20’s disclosure and moderation requirements. The court found plaintiffs’ arguments that the requirements were burdensome unpersuasive as they were based on “a small number of applications.” 49 F.4th 439.

The plaintiffs subsequently moved to stay issuance of the mandate for the Fifth Circuit’s decision pending decision on their forthcoming writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. The Fifth Circuit granted the stay on October 12, 2022.

As of October 2022, this case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Eric Gripp (12/29/2022)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
	Fifth Circuit Docket U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit	Oct. 12, 2022	Oct. 12, 2022 Docket
1 1:21-cv-00840	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 Complaint
51 1:21-cv-00840	Order	Dec. 1, 2021	Dec. 1, 2021 Order/Opinion
57 1:21-cv-00840 21-51178	Order	Dec. 9, 2021	Dec. 9, 2021 Order/Opinion
59 1:21-cv-00840	USCA Order U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit	May 11, 2022	May 11, 2022 Order/Opinion
21-00720	Opinion Netchoice v. Paxton Supreme Court of the United States	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2022 Order/Opinion
21-51178	Opinion U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit	Sept. 16, 2022	Sept. 16, 2022 Order/Opinion

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60413417/netchoice-llc-v-paxton/

Last updated March 24, 2023, 3 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number 0542-15251569), filed by NetChoice LLC, Computer & Communications Industry Association. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 09/22/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 Clearinghouse
2	REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 09/22/2021)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
3	RULE 7 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by NetChoice LLC. (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 09/22/2021)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 RECAP
4	RULE 7 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Computer & Communications Industry Association. (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 09/22/2021)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
5	Pro Hac Vice Letters mailed to Gabriela Gonzalez-Araiza, Steven P. Lehotsky, and Jonathan D. Urick re: non-admitted status. (cj) (Entered: 09/22/2021)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 RECAP
6	Summons Issued as to Ken Paxton. (cj) (Entered: 09/22/2021)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
	To be Referred to AU Mag Judge	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
	Case assigned to Judge Robert Pitman. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (cj)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
	If ordered by the court, all referrals and consents in this case will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Hightower (cj)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
7	SUMMONS Returned Executed by NetChoice LLC, Computer & Communications Industry Association. All Defendants. (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 09/23/2021)	Sept. 23, 2021	Sept. 23, 2021 RECAP
8	Unopposed MOTION for Leave to Exceed Page Limitation by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Granting Leave, # 2 Brief re: Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 3 Exhibit A to Mot. for PI, # 4 Exhibit B to Mot. for PI, # 5 Exhibit C to Mot. for PI, # 6 Exhibit D to Mot. for PI, # 7 Exhibit E to Mot. for PI, # 8 Exhibit F to Mot. for PI, # 9 Exhibit G to Mot. for PI)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 09/30/2021)	Sept. 30, 2021	Sept. 30, 2021 PACER
9	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Jeremy Evan Maltz on behalf of Steven P. Lehotsky ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15288326) by on behalf of Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Maltz, Jeremy) (Entered: 10/01/2021)	Oct. 1, 2021	Oct. 1, 2021 RECAP
10	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Jeremy Evan Maltz on behalf of Jonathan D. Urick ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15288351) by on behalf of Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Maltz, Jeremy) (Entered: 10/01/2021)	Oct. 1, 2021	Oct. 1, 2021 PACER
11	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Jeremy Evan Maltz on behalf of Gabriela Gonzalez Araiza ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15288571) by on behalf of Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Maltz, Jeremy) (Entered: 10/01/2021)	Oct. 1, 2021	Oct. 1, 2021 PACER
12	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G)(dm) (Entered: 10/01/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP 4 Exhibit D View on RECAP 5 Exhibit E View on RECAP 6 Exhibit F View on RECAP 7 Exhibit G View on PACER	Oct. 1, 2021	Oct. 1, 2021 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	Oct. 1, 2021	Oct. 1, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 8 Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages entered by Judge Robert Pitman. IT IS ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall file Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction and accompanying exhibits. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Oct. 1, 2021	Oct. 1, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 9 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney Steven P. Lehotsky. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Oct. 6, 2021	Oct. 6, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 10 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney Jonathan D. Urick. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Oct. 6, 2021	Oct. 6, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 11 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney Gabriela Gonzalez Araiza. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Oct. 6, 2021	Oct. 6, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Oct. 6, 2021	Oct. 6, 2021 PACER
13	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by W. Reid Wittliff. by Chamber of Progress. (Attachments: # 1 Brief, # 2 Proposed Order)(Wittliff, William) (Entered: 10/07/2021) 1 Brief View on RECAP 2 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Oct. 7, 2021	Oct. 7, 2021 RECAP
14	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by Laura Lee Prather. by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, The American Civil Liberties Union, The Center for Democracy & Technology, The Media Law Resource Center, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Brief of the The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, The American Civil Liberties Union, The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, The Center for Democracy and Technology and The Media Law Resource Center)(Prather, Laura) (Entered: 10/07/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER 2 Brief of the The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, The American Civi View on RECAP	Oct. 7, 2021	Oct. 7, 2021 RECAP
15	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Jason A. Cairns on behalf of Corbin K. Barthold ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15314243) by on behalf of TechFreedom. (Cairns, Jason) (Entered: 10/08/2021)	Oct. 8, 2021	Oct. 8, 2021 PACER
16	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by Jason A. Cairns and Corbin K. Barthold. by TechFreedom. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Brief)(Cairns, Jason) (Entered: 10/08/2021)	Oct. 8, 2021	Oct. 8, 2021 PACER
17	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Thomas S. Leatherbury on behalf of David Greene ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15315772) by on behalf of Electronic Frontier Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Leatherbury, Thomas) (Entered: 10/08/2021)	Oct. 8, 2021	Oct. 8, 2021 PACER
18	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Thomas S. Leatherbury on behalf of Mukund Rathi ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15315829) by on behalf of Electronic Frontier Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Leatherbury, Thomas) (Entered: 10/08/2021)	Oct. 8, 2021	Oct. 8, 2021 PACER
19	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by Thomas S. Leatherbury. by Electronic Frontier Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Brief of Amicus Curiae Electronic Frontier Foundation in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction)(Leatherbury, Thomas) (Entered: 10/08/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER 2 Brief of Amicus Curiae Electronic Frontier Foundation in Support of Plaintiffs&# View on RECAP	Oct. 8, 2021	Oct. 8, 2021 RECAP
20	Opposed MOTION to Expedite Discovery by Ken Paxton. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Proposed Order)(Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 10/11/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Proposed Order View on PACER	Oct. 11, 2021	Oct. 11, 2021 RECAP
21	Opposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 12 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Ken Paxton. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 10/11/2021)	Oct. 11, 2021	Oct. 11, 2021 PACER
22	Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC, re 21 Opposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 12 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Defendant Ken Paxton, 20 Opposed MOTION to Expedite Discovery filed by Defendant Ken Paxton (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Proposed Order)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 10/13/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Oct. 13, 2021	Oct. 13, 2021 RECAP
23	MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by Ken Paxton. (Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 10/14/2021)	Oct. 14, 2021	Oct. 14, 2021 RECAP
24	REPLY to Response to Motion, filed by Ken Paxton, re 20 Opposed MOTION to Expedite Discovery filed by Defendant Ken Paxton (Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 10/14/2021)	Oct. 14, 2021	Oct. 14, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply	Oct. 15, 2021	Oct. 15, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART 21 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply entered by Judge Robert Pitman. In light of Plaintiffs' lack of opposition to a seven-day extension, IT IS ORDERED that Defendant shall file a response to the preliminary injunction motion on or before October 22, 2021. The Court intends to expeditiously rule on Defendant's motion for expedited discovery, the outcome of which may impact Defendant's response deadline. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Oct. 15, 2021	Oct. 15, 2021 PACER
25	ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART 20 Opposed MOTION to Expedite Discovery Signed by Judge Robert Pitman. (cc3) (Entered: 10/22/2021)	Oct. 22, 2021	Oct. 22, 2021 RECAP
26	ORDER SETTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING for 12/10/2021 at 09:00 AM before Judge Robert Pitman. Signed by Judge Robert Pitman. (cc3) (Entered: 10/26/2021)	Oct. 26, 2021	Oct. 26, 2021 RECAP
27	ORDER RESETTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING for 11/29/2021 at 09:00 AM before Judge Robert Pitman Signed by Judge Robert Pitman. (cc3) (Entered: 10/28/2021)	Oct. 28, 2021	Oct. 28, 2021 RECAP
28	Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC, re 23 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Defendant Ken Paxton (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 10/28/2021)	Oct. 28, 2021	Oct. 28, 2021 RECAP
29	Opposed MOTION for Protective Order by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Proposed Order)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 10/28/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER 5 Exhibit E View on PACER 6 Exhibit F View on PACER 7 Exhibit G View on PACER 8 Exhibit H View on PACER 9 Exhibit I View on PACER 10 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Oct. 28, 2021	Oct. 28, 2021 RECAP
30	BRIEF by CHAMBER OF PROGRESS(cc3) (Entered: 10/29/2021)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 RECAP
31	BRIEF by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, The American Civil Liberties Union, The Center for Democracy & Technology, The Media Law Resource Center, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.(cc3) (Entered: 10/29/2021)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 RECAP
32	BRIEF by TechFreedom. (cc3) (Entered: 10/29/2021)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 RECAP
33	BRIEF by Electronic Frontier Foundation. (cc3) (Entered: 10/29/2021)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 RECAP
	Text Order GRANTING 16 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 19 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 14 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 13 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021 PACER
34	RESPONSE to Motion, filed by Ken Paxton, re 29 Opposed MOTION for Protective Order filed by Plaintiff Computer & Communications Industry Association, Plaintiff NetChoice LLC (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H)(Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 11/01/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER 5 Exhibit E View on PACER 6 Exhibit F View on PACER 7 Exhibit G View on PACER 8 Exhibit H View on PACER	Nov. 1, 2021	Nov. 1, 2021 RECAP
35	REPLY to Response to Motion, filed by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC, re 29 Opposed MOTION for Protective Order filed by Plaintiff Computer & Communications Industry Association, Plaintiff NetChoice LLC (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit J)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 11/01/2021) 1 Exhibit J View on RECAP	Nov. 1, 2021	Nov. 1, 2021 RECAP
36	ORDER GRANTING 29 Plaintiff's Motion for Protective Order Signed by Judge Robert Pitman. (cc3) (Entered: 11/02/2021)	Nov. 2, 2021	Nov. 2, 2021 RECAP
	Text Order GRANTING 18 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney Mukund Rathi. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Nov. 2, 2021	Nov. 2, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 17 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney David Greene. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Nov. 2, 2021	Nov. 2, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Nov. 2, 2021	Nov. 2, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 15 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney Corbin K. Barthold. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Nov. 2, 2021	Nov. 2, 2021 PACER
37	REPLY in Support, filed by Ken Paxton, re 23 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Defendant Ken Paxton (Corbello, Courtney) Modified on 11/5/2021 (cc3). (Entered: 11/04/2021)	Nov. 4, 2021	Nov. 4, 2021 RECAP
38	Unopposed MOTION for Leave to Exceed Page Limitation in Response to Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Ken Paxton. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit A)(Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 11/22/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER 2 Exhibit A View on PACER	Nov. 22, 2021	Nov. 22, 2021 RECAP
39	Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by Ken Paxton, re 12 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Plaintiff Computer & Communications Industry Association, Plaintiff NetChoice LLC (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H)(Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 11/22/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Exhibit B View on RECAP 3 Exhibit C View on RECAP 4 Exhibit D View on RECAP 5 Exhibit E View on RECAP 6 Exhibit F View on RECAP 7 Exhibit G View on RECAP 8 Exhibit H View on RECAP	Nov. 22, 2021	Nov. 22, 2021 RECAP
40	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by W. Scott McCollough. by The Babylon Bee, Not the Bee, Giganews, Inc., Golden Frog, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Brief Proposed Amicus)(McCollough, W.) (Entered: 11/22/2021) 1 Brief Proposed Amicus View on RECAP	Nov. 22, 2021	Nov. 22, 2021 PACER
41	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by W. Scott McCollough for Evan Goldberg ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15467980) by on behalf of Giganews, Inc., Golden Frog, Inc., Not the Bee, The Babylon Bee. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(McCollough, W.) (Entered: 11/22/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Nov. 22, 2021	Nov. 22, 2021 RECAP
42	BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE THE BABYLON BEE, LLC, NOT THE BEE, LLC, GIGANEWS, INC. AND GOLDEN FROG GmbH IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIO (cc3) (Entered: 11/23/2021)	Nov. 23, 2021	Nov. 23, 2021 RECAP
	Text Order GRANTING 40 Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief entered by Judge Robert Pitman. IT IS ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall file the amicus brief. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Nov. 23, 2021	Nov. 23, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief	Nov. 23, 2021	Nov. 23, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	Nov. 23, 2021	Nov. 23, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 38 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Nov. 23, 2021	Nov. 23, 2021 PACER
43	Opposed MOTION to Strike Report of Adam Candeub by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 11/24/2021)	Nov. 24, 2021	Nov. 24, 2021 RECAP
44	Unopposed MOTION for Leave to Exceed Page Limitation by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Brief re: Reply ISO Motion for PI, # 2 Exhibit H, # 3 Exhibit I, # 4 Proposed Order)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 11/24/2021) 1 View on RECAP	Nov. 24, 2021	Nov. 24, 2021 PACER
45	Exhibit List for 11.29.21 Preliminary Injunction Hearing by Ken Paxton.. (Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 11/28/2021)	Nov. 28, 2021	Nov. 28, 2021 PACER
46	Exhibit List for 11.29.2021 Preliminary Injunction Hearing by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC.. (Disher, Todd) (Entered: 11/28/2021)	Nov. 28, 2021	Nov. 28, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	Nov. 28, 2021	Nov. 28, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 44 Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (sh)	Nov. 28, 2021	Nov. 28, 2021 PACER
47	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Robert Pitman: Preliminary Injunction Hearing held on 11/29/2021. Written order forthcoming. (Minute entry documents are not available electronically) (Court Reporter LilyReznik.)(cc3) (Entered: 11/29/2021)	Nov. 29, 2021	Nov. 29, 2021 PACER
48	Plaintiffs' REPLY BRIEF in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction. (cc3) (Additional attachment(s) added on 11/30/2021: # 1 Exhibit H, # 2 Exhibit I) (cc3). (Entered: 11/29/2021) 1 Exhibit H View on PACER 2 Exhibit I View on PACER	Nov. 29, 2021	Nov. 29, 2021 RECAP
49	EXHIBITS from Preliminary Injunction Hearing(cc3) (Additional attachment(s) added on 11/29/2021: # 1 Exhibit Plaintiff 1-8, # 2 Exhibit Defendants 1-7) (cc3). (Entered: 11/29/2021)	Nov. 29, 2021	Nov. 29, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 41 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice by attorney Evan Goldberg. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. entered by Judge Robert Pitman. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (jg)	Nov. 29, 2021	Nov. 29, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Nov. 29, 2021	Nov. 29, 2021 PACER
50	Response in Opposition to Motion, filed by Ken Paxton, re 43 Opposed MOTION to Strike Report of Adam Candeub filed by Plaintiff Computer & Communications Industry Association, Plaintiff NetChoice LLC (Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 11/30/2021)	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2021 RECAP
51	ORDER GRANTING 12 Motion for Preliminary Injunction; DENYING 23 Motion to Dismiss; and DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE AS MOOT 43 Motion to Strike. Signed by Judge Robert Pitman. (jg3) (Entered: 12/01/2021)	Dec. 1, 2021	Dec. 1, 2021 Clearinghouse
52	BOND in the amount of $ 1,000.00 posted by Plaintiff(Receipt# 100040570) (cc3) (Entered: 12/02/2021)	Dec. 2, 2021	Dec. 2, 2021 PACER
53	Opposed MOTION to Stay Preliminary Injunction by Ken Paxton. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 12/06/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Dec. 6, 2021	Dec. 6, 2021 RECAP
54	Appeal of Order entered by District Judge 51 by Ken Paxton. ( Filing fee $ 505 receipt number 0542-15506481) (Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 12/06/2021)	Dec. 6, 2021	Dec. 6, 2021 RECAP
	NOTICE OF INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL as to 51 Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction, Order on Motion to Strike, Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Ken Paxton. Filing fee $ 505, receipt number 0542-15506481. Per 5th Circuit rules, the appellant has 14 days, from the filing of the Notice of Appeal, to order the transcript. To order a transcript, the appellant should fill out (Transcript Order) and follow the instructions set out on the form. This form is available in the Clerk's Office or by clicking the hyperlink above. (dm)	Dec. 6, 2021	Dec. 6, 2021 PACER
55	Opposed MOTION to Stay Case Pending Appeal by Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Disher, Todd) (Entered: 12/07/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	Dec. 7, 2021	Dec. 7, 2021 RECAP
	Notice of Appeal - Interlocutory	Dec. 7, 2021	Dec. 7, 2021 PACER
56	TRANSCRIPT REQUEST by Ken Paxton for dates of 11/29/2021. Proceedings Transcribed: Preliminary Injunction. Court Reporter: Lily Reznik.. (Corbello, Courtney) (Entered: 12/09/2021)	Dec. 9, 2021	Dec. 9, 2021 PACER
57	ORDER DENYING 53 Opposed MOTION to Stay Preliminary Injunction and GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART 55 Opposed MOTION to Stay Case Pending Appeal. Signed by Judge Robert Pitman. (cc3) (Entered: 12/09/2021)	Dec. 9, 2021	Dec. 9, 2021 Clearinghouse
	Certification of the Electronic Record on Appeal has been accepted by the 5th Circuit re Notice of Appeal - Interlocutory. Attorneys are advised that they may now download the EROA from the Fifth Circuit CM/ECF site by following these instructions here (klw)	Dec. 15, 2021	Dec. 15, 2021 PACER
	Appeal Record Accepted and Available Electronically	Dec. 16, 2021	Dec. 16, 2021 PACER
58	Transcript filed of Proceedings held on November 29, 2021, Proceedings Transcribed: Preliminary Injunction Hearing. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Lily I. Reznik, Telephone number: 512-391-8792 or Lily_Reznik@txwd.uscourts.gov. Parties are notified of their duty to review the transcript to ensure compliance with the FRCP 5.2(a)/FRCrP 49.1(a). A copy may be purchased from the court reporter or viewed at the clerk's office public terminal. If redaction is necessary, a Notice of Redaction Request must be filed within 21 days. If no such Notice is filed, the transcript will be made available via PACER without redaction after 90 calendar days. The clerk will mail a copy of this notice to parties not electronically noticed Redaction Request due 2/7/2022, Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 2/16/2022, Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/18/2022, Appeal Record due by 1/31/2022, (lr) (Entered: 01/16/2022)	Jan. 16, 2022	Jan. 16, 2022 RECAP
	Certification of the Supplemental Electronic Record on Appeal has been accepted by the 5th Circuit re Notice of Appeal - Interlocutory. Attorneys are advised that they may now download the Supplemental EROA from the Fifth Circuit CM/ECF site by following these instructions here (lt)	Jan. 20, 2022	Jan. 20, 2022 PACER
	Appeal Record Accepted and Available Electronically	Jan. 20, 2022	Jan. 20, 2022 PACER
59	ORDER of USCA GRANTING Appellant's Motion to Stay Preliminary Injunction pending Notice of Appeal - Interlocutory. (cc3) (Entered: 05/12/2022)	May 11, 2022	May 11, 2022 RECAP