UWF Seligman Lecture Series event delves into intellectual property law and the history of censorship

The University of West Florida will welcome Professor Robert Spoo, a scholar in intellectual property law and the history of censorship, to Pensacola as part of its Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series, which fosters dialogue about First Amendment issues. 

The lecture, titled “Book Censorship: Then and Now,” will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Museum of Commerce, located at 201 East Zaragoza Street, in downtown Pensacola. Spoo will delve into book censorship, drawing comparisons between current trends and the censorship battles of the early 20th century. The event begins with a public reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 6 p.m. and a Q&A session. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. 

“The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is proud to host the Seligman Lecture on the First Amendment again this year,” said David Earle, dean of the college. “These are the types of discussions that help teach our students civic responsibility and the importance of freedom of speech. This year’s topic in particular has local interest and illustrates the college’s long-standing commitment to the community.”   

Spoo, the Leonard L. Milberg ’53 Professor in Irish Letters at Princeton University, has dedicated his career to understanding the intersections of law, literature and intellectual freedom. A former editor of the James Joyce Quarterly, he is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on copyright and fair use, which has shaped scholarly and legal discussions on freedom of expression.

His notable publications include “Without Copyrights: Piracy, Publishing, and the Public Domain” and “Modernism and the Law,” and his legal advocacy has empowered creative professionals to navigate challenges in intellectual property law.

The Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series, established in 2009, is made possible by the generosity of the Jane G. and Fred K. Seligman Endowment. Fred Seligman, a Jewish émigré from Nazi Germany, treasured the freedoms protected by the First Amendment and envisioned this lecture series as a way to foster dialogue, understanding and civic engagement in the community.

For more information about the Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series, visit uwf.edu/seligman.