Legal issues surrounding the distribution of nonsubscription newspapers are examined in this paper. The paper first discusses selected United States Supreme Court cases that pertain to the circulation of printed materials. It then explores recent state court decisions pertaining to the area of distribution law as it applies to nonsubscription newspapers, and it examines the history of distribution in California, since that state has emerged as an important testing ground for the nonsubscription newspaper. Finally, the paper examines the practical effects of enforcement of city ordinances restricting distribution, based on interviews with authorities in several California cities. The paper concludes that although the California Supreme Court has ruled against ordinances that unfairly restrict distribution of nonsubscription materials, a number of California cities have enacted ordinances that clash with the Court's opinion. (GT)