Spotlight: Judge Dismisses Writers Guild Suit Over Ordinance

A federal judge has dismissed the Writers Guild of America West’s lawsuit over the city of Los Angeles’ home-based business ordinance. U.S. District Judge Manuel L. Real said the court did not have jurisdiction over the business licensing portion of the lawsuit. The guild contends the ordinance violates the 1st Amendment by requiring writers to register with the government as a home-based business. The guild plans to refile its case in state court, guild spokesman Mark Ryavec said.