Roth v. United States was a pivotal Supreme Court case that led to a significant clarification of the First Amendment's free speech protections. The case arose after Samuel Roth, a New York publisher, was convicted under federal obscenity statutes for distributing material deemed obscene. Roth's appeal to the Supreme Court contested the conviction, arguing that his artistic expressions were protected under the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. The Court’s decision, delivered by Justice William Brennan, determined that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment, establishing a clear precedent that would affect future obscenity law. The ruling emphasized the need for a clearer legal standard regarding what constitutes obscene material. Roth was ultimately unsuccessful in his appeal, and the Court provided a framework for judges to evaluate obscenity in terms of community standards and prevailing norms. This framework influenced subsequent legislation and numerous court cases, further defining the boundaries of free expression in American society.