No. 19-1284October Term 2019Decided Oct 13, 2020Updated Oct 13, 2020
Malwarebytes v. Enigma Software Group USA
Malwarebytes, Inc. v. Enigma Software Group USA, LLC
This case asks whether an internet security company like Malwarebytes can be sued for labeling a rival’s software as unwanted or harmful, or whether Section 230 protects that kind of blocking decision from civil liability.
Case status
Decided · October 13, 2020
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Oct 13, 2020
- What it's about
This case asks whether an internet security company like Malwarebytes can be sued for labeling a rival’s software as unwanted or harmful, or whether Section 230 protects that kind of blocking decision from civil liability. The Ninth Circuit allowed the suit to go forward, reasoning that Section 230 immunity may not apply when the blocking is allegedly motivated by anticompetitive animus.
Question presented
Whether the Ninth Circuit correctly held that 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(2), titled “Protection for ‘Good Samaritan’ blocking and screening of offensive material,” does not provide immunity from liability for companies engaging in predatory practices that intentionally target competitors for anticompetitive reasons.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Oct 13, 2020
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided October 13, 2020
The Court released its decision on October 13, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Opinions
Orders
Key filings
Briefs on file: 9View on supremecourt.gov
Activity
Docket activity3
Opinion added: Opinion
Oct 13, 2020 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
May 11, 2020 | Court records
Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions
Mar 6, 2020 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology