Definition
Legal statutes and procedural mechanisms designed to protect individuals — including creators, journalists, and critics — from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP suits). Anti-SLAPP laws, enacted in many U.S. states and other jurisdictions, allow defendants to file early motions to dismiss meritless lawsuits targeting protected speech, and in many cases require the plaintiff to pay the defendant's legal fees if the motion succeeds. For creators who produce commentary, criticism, or investigative content, understanding the Anti-SLAPP protections available in their jurisdiction is an important component of legal risk management.