Kingsley Books, Inc. v. Brown

Under New York law, a city official could seek an injunction against distribution of obscene materials after giving notice, followed by a prompt trial on obscenity and a possible permanent injunction; a city official sought and obtained an injunction against Kingsley Books and other booksellers (defendants) over a lewd book series, after the trial judge found the existing books obscene, though the judge declined to also enjoin future, not-yet-published installments in the series as an unconstitutional prior restraint. The booksellers appealed the injunction that was granted.