Spoiler Alert: Can You Get Sued For Revealing A Plot Point?

Can revealing a plot twist get you sued? Inspired by the controversy surrounding HBO’s Lanterns, Eugene Volokh and Jane Bambauer explore the tension between copyright protection and free speech. From Gerald Ford’s memoirs to 2 Live Crew’s “Pretty Woman” parody, they examine how courts distinguish protected expression from facts and ideas—and when fair use permits borrowing from someone else’s work. Along the way, they consider why describing an ending differs from posting a clip, how unpublished leaks complicate the analysis, and when a spoiler might cross the line from bad manners to legal liability.

Recorded on August 25, 2026.

Cast

Eugene Volokh

Eugene Volokh

Jane Bambauer

Jane Bambauer

Related

Articles

The Dawn Of The Post-Trump Era

Donald Trump remains in the White House, but the midterms have made him a lame duck.

November 5, 2026

Articles

Data Center Siting And Community Opposition

Where data centers locate to fuel the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is of burgeoning political importance with economic and environmental implications. We highlight local factors associated with siting and opposition.

November 3, 2026

Videos

H.R. McMaster On How Democrats' Wins In The Midterms Might Change The Iran War

Hoover Institution fellow H.R. McMaster discusses how the war in Iran may change in the aftermath of the elections.

November 5, 2026