- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- FIRE Student Network
  FIRE’s 2022 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 44,000 currently enrolled students at 208 colleges and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
  Build Your Network
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
About Us
Submit a Case

LAMONT, DBA BASIC PAMPHLETS v. POSTMASTER GENERAL

Supreme Court Cases

381 U.S. 301 (1965)

Case Overview

Action

Reversed. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.

Importance of Case

This was the first case wherein the Court declared a federal law unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. It was also the first case in which the Court used the precise pharse "marketplace of ideas." (Compare Abrams v. US: "competition of the market")

Advocated for Respondent

Marshall W. Krause View all cases

Advocated for Petitioner

Leonard B. Boudin View all cases

Cite this page

LAMONT, DBA BASIC PAMPHLETS v. POSTMASTER GENERAL. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/lamont-dba-basic-pamphlets-v-postmaster-general
LAMONT, DBA BASIC PAMPHLETS v. POSTMASTER GENERAL, First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/lamont-dba-basic-pamphlets-v-postmaster-general (last visited 16 Mar. 2025).
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "LAMONT, DBA BASIC PAMPHLETS v. POSTMASTER GENERAL." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/lamont-dba-basic-pamphlets-v-postmaster-general (accessed March 16, 2025).
"LAMONT, DBA BASIC PAMPHLETS v. POSTMASTER GENERAL." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 16 Mar. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/lamont-dba-basic-pamphlets-v-postmaster-general.

Share this selection via email