Producer Says Pennsylvania Business Name Statute Violates 1st Amendment

The name of a corporation or limited liability company that is included in the articles it files with the state is generally subject to certain restrictions, usually to prevent duplication of names. Pennsylvania, however, also prohibits certain words from being used in the name of a business association. 19Pa. Code Sec. 17.5 provides that "An association name may not contain words that constitute blasphemy, profane cursing or swearing or that profane the Lord's name." The New York Times reports yesterday that a lawsuit has been filed in federal district court by filmmaker George Kalman challenging the constitutionality of that provision. Kalman wanted to name his production company "I Choose Hell Productions," to reflect the philosophical theme of his movies. In 2007, articles with that name were rejected because of the blasphemy and profanity prohibition, and he ultimately refiled under the name "ICH Productions LLC". Kalman's suit asserts that the statute violates the Establishment Clause because it prescribes a religious standard that was used in rejecting his filing. He also asserts that it violates his free expression rights, giving to state employees the discretion to reject business names that offend them.