A Political Message Amid the Movie Trailers

Coming to theaters are commercials that are intended to spell out the perils of frivolous lawsuits as told by "everyday Americans," including small-business owners who have been hit with costly lawsuits they believed were arbitrary and abusive. The series of two-minute trailers is the latest salvo in a long-running political battle over whether there should be curbs on bringing civil lawsuits. The United States Chamber of Commerce, which represents three million businesses, is hoping this "Faces of Lawsuit Abuse" ad campaign, from its Institute for Legal Reform, can revitalize interest in restricting litigation.