<P> Mutual Film Corporation v. Industrial Commission of Ohio, 236 U.S. 230 (1915), was a United States Supreme Court case in 1915, in which the Court ruled by a 9 - 0 vote that the free speech protection of the Ohio Constitution, which was substantially similar to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, did not extend to motion pictures . </P> <P> The state government of Ohio had passed a statute in 1913 forming a board of censors which had the duty of reviewing and approving all films intended to be exhibited in the state . The board charged a fee for the approval service . The board could order the arrest of anyone showing an unapproved film in the state . </P> <P> The Court stated: </P> <P>... the exhibition of moving pictures is a business, pure and simple, originated and conducted for profit...not to be regarded, nor intended to be regarded by the Ohio Constitution, we think, as part of the press of the country, or as organs of public opinion . </P>

Mutual film corp vs industrial commission of ohio decision