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November 15, 2009

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Injunction against NSAC on markings approved

Thursday, March 7, 2002 | 10:13 a.m.

District Court judge Valorie Vega ruled Wednesday that the ban on temporary body markings implemented by the Nevada State Athletic Commission violated boxers' rights to free speech. The request for a preliminary injunction against the NSAC, filed by GoldenPalace.com, was granted.

Vega made her ruling after finding no evidence that temporary body markings, including temporary tattoos, are distracting, or would be distracting to boxing judges during a bout. The judge further indicated that the NSAC's ban was a violation of the First Amendment rights of boxers and that there was no evidence that the ban would "materially advance the NSAC's asserted interest."

The NSAC's ban on temporary tattoos and body markings was initiated when GoldenPalace.com, an online casino, began placing henna tattoos listing their web address on boxer's backs during televised fights. GoldenPalace.com, pioneered this form of advertising nationwide by contracting with middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins to wear the tattoo during a bout earlier this year in New York.

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