Answer:
(a) Matal v. Tam (2017) is a case that directly relates to the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment, which safeguards freedom of speech. The case revolves around the constitutionality of the Lanham Act's provision that prohibited the registration of trademarks that could be deemed disparaging. The Bill of Rights, as a cornerstone of individual liberties, ensures citizens' rights to express their opinions and ideas without government censorship. Matal v. Tam highlights the tension between protecting trademarks and upholding the First Amendment's protection of free speech.
(b) Central to the Court's opinion in Matal v. Tam was the contention over the constitutionality of the disparagement clause in the Lanham Act, which denied trademark registration to marks that could be considered offensive or disparaging. The case was brought by Simon Tam, the lead singer of the Asian-American rock band "The Slants," who sought to register the band's name as a trademark. The Court delved into the interpretation of the First Amendment and whether the government had the authority to restrict speech it deemed offensive. The Court ultimately held that the disparagement clause was unconstitutional as it violated the First Amendment's protection against viewpoint discrimination. The decision emphasized that even speech considered offensive or disparaging is entitled to constitutional protection, highlighting the vital role the Bill of Rights plays in safeguarding free expression in diverse forms, including commercial speech such as trademarks.