Scrolling online through the California Business and Professions Code the other day, I was struck by a frightening sight. My pulse raced. My jaw dropped. I called out to an associate for help. I wanted to make sure that what I was seeing was real, i.e., that I wasn’t out of my mind. Many lawyers have read California Business and Professions Code Section 16600 by which California outlaws covenants not to compete. But click a few code sections over and you’ll be shocked!
Section 16603 has to be one of the strangest (and most seasonally appropriate) laws ever. It targets the two-for-one sale of comic books, stating: “Every person who, as a condition to a sale or consignment of any magazine, book, or other publication requires that the purchaser or consignee purchase or receive for sale any horror comic book, is guilty of a misdemeanor” punishable by jail time up to six months or a fine up to $1000. The section goes on to define a horror comic book with specificity:Continue Reading Creepy Code Section Alert: Cal. Bus. and Prof. §16603