Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Commission

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Commission was a 1980 Supreme Court case that set a legal standard for government restrictions on advertising. The Court ruled that the government can only regulate commercial speech if the restriction promotes a substantial government interest, directly advances that interest, and is not more extensive than necessary. In this case, the Court struck down a New York regulation that banned advertising promoting electricity use during energy shortages, ruling it was too broad and violated free speech protections. This decision established the "Central Hudson test," guiding how courts evaluate advertising restrictions.