Court Bars Internet Pornography Law Enforcement

Chaos · Jun 30, 2004, 04:38 AM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A closely divided U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday barred enforcement of a 1998 federal law designed to keep Internet pornography away from minors because it likely violates constitutional free-speech rights.

By a 5-4 vote, the high court handed a defeat to the U.S. Justice Department in a case that has pitted free-speech rights against efforts by the U.S. Congress to protect minors from online pornography. It sent the case back to federal court for a full review.

The law in question requires that Web site operators use credit cards or adult access codes and personal identification numbers to keep minors from seeing harmful pornography. Violators face up to six months in prison and fines of as much as $50,000 a day.

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Source: Reuters

Jun 30, 2004, 04:38 AM	#1
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Court Bars Internet Pornography Law Enforcement WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A closely divided U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday barred enforcement of a 1998 federal law designed to keep Internet pornography away from minors because it likely violates constitutional free-speech rights. By a 5-4 vote, the high court handed a defeat to the U.S. Justice Department in a case that has pitted free-speech rights against efforts by the U.S. Congress to protect minors from online pornography. It sent the case back to federal court for a full review. The law in question requires that Web site operators use credit cards or adult access codes and personal identification numbers to keep minors from seeing harmful pornography. Violators face up to six months in prison and fines of as much as $50,000 a day. ______________________________ Source: Reuters