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Media Coverage - Old Coverage

*   Diebold Voting Documents Case Tests DMCA
Can Diebold Systems Inc. use copyright claims to pressure Internet users into removing links to online discussions archives stolen from the company in March?, IDG News Service (November 6, 2003)

*   Students Sue Over Voting Vulnerability
Two students from Swarthmore College have filed suit against one of the nation's largest makers of electronic voting machines, alleging that Diebold, Inc. had abused copyright laws to keep information from the public that is crucial to the health of America's democracy, Daily Princetonian (November 6, 2003)

*   Dispute Tests Limits of Free Speech Online
How can colleges and universities promote their students' political engagement and free expression without running afoul of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act?, PC World (November 5, 2003)

*   ISP Seeks Court Order Over "Cease-and-Desist Notices"
A non-profit ISP and two students took electronic voting machine manufacturer Diebold Systems Inc to court yesterday over what was called "a blatant abuse of copyright law", Out-Law.com (November 5, 2003)

*   Diebold Voting Documents Case Tests DMCA
Can Diebold Systems Inc. use copyright claims to pressure Internet users into removing links to online discussions archives stolen from the company in March?, IDG News Service via IT World (November 5, 2003)

*   Diebold Case Raises Tough Questions for Universities
The legal dispute that erupted last week between Diebold and student voting activists poses difficult questions for colleges and universities that want to promote students' political engagement and free expression, but are wary of running afoul of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, according to university officials and legal experts, IDG News Service via Network World Fusion (November 5, 2003)

*   ISP Seeks Court Order Over "Cease-and-Desist Notices"
The ISP Online Policy Group (IOPG) will have to wait a little bit longer to find out whether a judge will approve its restraining order against Diebold Inc., which has been sending the non-profit company cease-and-desist orders over publication of vulnerabilities in Diebold e-voting machines, DC.Internet.com (November 5, 2003)

*   Lawsuit Filed Against Diebold Over Legal Threats
Attorneys specializing in free speech on the Internet sued Diebold Inc. Tuesday, demanding the voting equipment company stop sending legal threats to organizations that publish its leaked documents, Associated Press via KTVU (November 5, 2003)

*   Company Sued for Threatening Online Publishers
Free-speech advocates sued a manufacturer of electronic voting machines yesterday, demanding it stop sending legal threats to groups that publish company documents leaked by a hacker, Associated Press via First Amendment Center (November 5, 2003)

*   EFF Stanford Law Clinic Sue E-Voting Company
A nonprofit Internet Service Provider (ISP) and two Swarthmore College students are seeking a court order on Election Day tomorrow to stop electronic voting machine manufacturer Diebold Systems, Inc., from issuing specious legal threats, Scoop (November 4, 2003)

*   Diebold Voting Case Tests DMCA
Can Diebold Systems use copyright law to pressure Netizens into removing links to online discussion archives stolen from the company in March? That question is before a federal judge, PC World (November 4, 2003)

*   EFF sues Diebold!
EFF is suing Diebold on behalf of the Online Policy Group, who are being threatened with a bogus copyright action in retaliation for linking to a website that describes the technical failings off Diebold's voting machines, Mekka (November 4, 2003)

*   EFF Looks To Block Diebold Threats
The ISP Online Policy Group (IOPG) will find out later today whether a San Francisco judge will approve its restraining order against Diebold Inc., which has been sending the non-profit company cease-and-desist orders over publication of vulnerabilities in Diebold e-voting machines, Internet.com (November 4, 2003)

*   Diebold Voting Case Tests DMCA
Can Diebold Systems use copyright law to pressure Netizens into removing links to online discussion archives stolen from the company in March? That question is before a federal judge, IDG News Service via PC World (November 4, 2003)

*   Civil Rights Groups Sue Electronic Voting Company
Attorneys specializing in free speech on the Internet sued Diebold Inc. Tuesday, demanding the voting equipment company stop sending legal threats to organizations that publish its leaked documents, Associated Press via Sarasota Herald Tribune (November 4, 2003)

*   Students, ISP Sue Diebold
Quixotic1 writes "The campaign against Diebold that began as electronic civil disobedience took an exciting turn today as the EFF announced that they were filing suit against Diebold for abuse of copyright claims. They will be representing Swarthmore College students and the ISP Online Policy Group, who hosted and linked to copies of controversial internal memos", Slashdot (November 3, 2003)

*   File Sharing Pits Copyright Against Free Speech
Diebold Election Systems, which makes voting machines, is waging legal war against grass-roots advocates, including dozens of college students, who are posting on the Internet copies of the companys internal communications about its electronic voting machines, New York Times via Infoshop (November 3, 2003)

*   Activist Group to Sue E-Voting Firm
On Tuesday, online activist group the Electronic Frontier Foundation will file suit in a California federal court, seeking to enjoin Diebold from claiming copyright infringement over the release of company emails and memos, National Public Radio (November 3, 2003)

*   Legal Challenge to Diebold's DMCA Tactics
Diebold, a company that sells disturbingly flawed electronic voting machines, wants get back some embarrassing internal documents that have leaked onto the Net, Dan Gillmore eJournal (November 3, 2003)

*   Students Buck DMCA Threat
When Diebold Election Systems learned that its internal e-mail correspondence had popped up on the Web, it used a common legal tactic: sending cease-and-desist letters to Webmasters, CNET News (November 3, 2003)

*   ISP Defies Electronic Voting Machine Maker’s Copyright Claims
Electronic voting company Diebold sent out dozens of notices to ISPs linking to or publishing copies of controversial internal Diebold memos demanding they remove the information from their websites, and one ISP, Online Policy Group, rejected the takedown demand, Democracy Now (October 30, 2003)

*   E-Voting Firm Threatens Legal Action Over Internal Documents
Despite lawsuit threats from one of the nation's largest electronic voting machine suppliers, some activists are refusing to remove from Web sites internal company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via BizReport (October 28, 2003)

*   Diebold Warns on Electronic Voting Papers
Despite lawsuit threats from one of the nation's largest electronic voting machine suppliers, some activists are refusing to remove from Web sites internal company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via Los Angeles Times (October 28, 2003)

*   Diebold Issues Threat to Publishers of Leaked Documents
One of the nation's largest electronic voting machine suppliers is threatening to sue activists for publishing leaked company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via Akron Beacon Journal (October 28, 2003)

*   E-Voting Flap Generates Legal Threats
Despite lawsuit threats from one of the nation’s largest electronic voting machine suppliers, some activists are refusing to remove from Web sites internal company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via MSNBC (October 27, 2003)

*   Diebold Warns on Electronic Voting Papers
Despite lawsuit threats from one of the nation's largest electronic voting machine suppliers, some activists are refusing to remove from Web sites internal company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via Wilmington Star (October 27, 2003)

*   Diebold Threatens Legal Action Over Publishing of Hacked Company Documents
Despite lawsuit threats from one of the nation’s largest electronic voting machine suppliers, some activists are refusing to remove from Web sites internal company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via News and Observer (October 27, 2003)

*   Diebold Issues Threat to Publishers of Leaked Documents
Despite lawsuit threats from one of the nation's largest electronic voting machine suppliers, some activists are refusing to remove from Web sites internal company documents that they claim raise serious security questions, Associated Press via Miami Herald (October 27, 2003)

*   SCDC to Take Legal Action Against Diebold; Why-War? Continues to Host Memos
In a press release jointly issued by SCDC and Why-War? the groups announced that the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a nonprofit group that works to protect digital rights, has already issued a public declaration to defend the ISP Online Privacy Group (OPG) for San Francisco IndyMedia, a website that hosts links to the memos and received a takedown notice from Diebold, Daily Gazette (October 23, 2003)

*   Diebold Targeted By Electronic Civil Disobedience
Defending the right of a fair, democratic election, Why War? and the Swarthmore Coalition for the Digital Commons (SCDC) announced today that they are rejecting Diebold Elections Systems' cease and desist orders and are initiating an electronic civil disobedience campaign that will ensure permanent public access to the controversial leaked memos, IndyMedia (October 22, 2003)

*   Students Fight E-Vote Firm
A group of students at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania has launched an "electronic civil disobedience" campaign against voting machine maker Diebold Election Systems, Wired News (October 21, 2003)
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*   E-Voting Machine Maker's Copyright Claims Rejected
In a media release, the EFF said on October 10, Diebold sent a cease-and-desist letter to the non-profit ISP Online Policy Group (OPG), demanding that OPG remove a page of links published on an Independent Media Center (IndyMedia) website located on a computer server hosted by OPG, The Age (October 20, 2003)

*   E-Voting Machine Maker's Copyright Claims Rejected
In a media release, the EFF said on October 10, Diebold sent a cease-and-desist letter to the non-profit ISP Online Policy Group (OPG), demanding that OPG remove a page of links published on an Independent Media Center (IndyMedia) website located on a computer server hosted by OPG, Sydney Morning Herald (October 20, 2003)

*   Diebold Issues Cease and Desist to Indymedia
Diebold, manufacturer of election equipment, has issued a Cease and desist notice to the upstream provider of San Francisco Indymedia for having links to mirrors of a leaked internal diebold memo, Slashdot (October 18, 2003)

*   Firm's Attempts to Down Hyperlinks an Attack on Free Speech, Says EFF
Diebold sent out dozens of notices to ISPs hosting IndyMedia and other websites linking to or publishing copies of Diebold internal memos. The only ISP to resist so far, says the EFF, is the non-profit Online Policy Group (OPG) ISP., The Inquirer (October 17, 2003)

*   ISP Rejects Diebold Copyright Claims Against News Website
Defending the right to link to controversial information about flaws in electronic voting systems, EFF announced today it will defend an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a news website publisher against claims of indirect copyright infringement from the electronic voting machines' manufacturer, Dangerous Citizen (October 17, 2003)

*   ISP Rejects Diebold Copyright Claims Against News Website
Electronic voting company Diebold, Inc., sent a cease-and-desist letter to the nonprofit OPG ISP demanding that OPG remove a page of links published on an IndyMedia website located on a computer server hosted by OPG, Online Policy Group (October 16, 2003)
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*   ISP Rejects Diebold Copyright Claims Against News Website
Defending the right to link to controversial information about flaws in electronic voting systems, EFF announced today it will defend an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a news website publisher against claims of indirect copyright infringement from the electronic voting machines' manufacturer, Magic City Morning Star (October 16, 2003)

*   ISP Rejects Diebold Copyright Claims Against News Website
Defending the right to link to controversial information about flaws in electronic voting systems, EFF announced today it will defend an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a news website publisher against claims of indirect copyright infringement from the electronic voting machines' manufacturer, Kansas City InfoZine (October 16, 2003)

*   ISP Rejects Diebold Copyright Claims Against News Website
On October 10, 2003, electronic voting company Diebold, Inc., sent a cease-and-desist letter to the nonprofit Online Policy Group (OPG) ISP demanding that OPG remove a page of links published on an Independent Media Center (IndyMedia) website located on a computer server hosted by OPG, Infoshop (October 16, 2003)

*   Silenced: Censorship and Control of the Internet
This study has found that censorship of the Internet is commonplace in most regions of the world, Privacy International and GreenNet Educational Trust (October 4, 2003)

*   India Bans a Yahoo Group
The Indian government has banned a Yahoo group, alleging that it has anti-India content, CNET News.com (September 23, 2003)

*   Porn Filters Found to Be Ineffective Tools
The Borough Assembly will soon vote on whether to force the public library to install expensive, ineffective Internet censorship filters on all its public and staff computers, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (September 6, 2003)

*   Appeals Court: Vermont Law Can't Stop Internet Sites That Discuss Sexuality
Citing the First Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled that a Vermont law cannot stop a nonprofit organization and the American Civil Liberties Union from publishing information about sexuality on the Internet, Associated Press via KCBS (August 28, 2003)

*   Vietnam Dissident Sentence Cut
A Vietnamese doctor, accused of spying and using the internet to spread slanders against the government, has had his 13-year sentence reduced to five years, BBC News (August 26, 2003)

*   CI Host Says AOL Blocking It, Sues
CI Host, a Bedford-based Web-hosting business, has sued America Online, saying the Internet provider has unfairly labeled the company as a spammer and blocked the company's clients from communicating with AOL customers, Star-Telegram (August 22, 2003)

*   Minn. Librarians Settle Internet Porn Case
The city's public library will consider using Internet filters to restrict patrons' access to online porn, and will pay $435,000 to a dozen librarians who said easy access to the images resulted in a hostile work environment, the librarians' lawyer said Friday, Associated Press via Yahoo! News (August 15, 2003)

*   Attack of the Smartasses
Friendster.com creator Jonathan Abrams wants to purge his über-hip dating site of phony profiles. But online "fakesters" are fighting back, SF Weekly (August 13, 2003)

*   Internet Filters Block Valuable Data, Too
A 17-year-old girl thinking about having sex for the first time logs onto her school's computer for the latest facts about sexually transmitted diseases, USA Today (August 12, 2003)

*   Report: ISPs Block 17 Percent of Legit E-mail
Top Internet service providers blocked 17 percent of legitimate permission-based e-mail in the first half of the year, according to a report issued by Return Path, InternetNews.com (August 12, 2003)

*   Watch What You Surf, Net Police Are Here
In what appears to be its first serious attempt to monitor the Internet, the Government of India has outlined an official procedure for blocking websites, Times of India (August 1, 2003)

*   Ministry to Filter Sites to Mobiles
The Japanese telecommunications ministry plans to develop a system for rating and filtering Web sites accessed by cellphones to prevent minors from viewing sex-related and other inappropriate content, ministry sources said, Asahi Shimbun (July 30, 2003)

*   Secure Computing To Buy N2H2
Network security products maker Secure Computing Inc. said Tuesday it is acquiring content-filtering vendor N2H2 for $20 million, furthering consolidation in an already-competitive market, Information Week (July 29, 2003)

*   Thailand Proposes ID Cards for Game Servers
Online game servers should authenticate national ID cards so that older players won't be trapped by a curfew aimed at students, according to a proposal by a Thai minister, CNET Asia via ZDNet UK (July 28, 2003)

*   CIPA-Regulated Filters Fall Far Short
A recent study by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Online Policy Group (OPG) concludes that the blocking software used is not accomplishing the purposes of CIPA, blocking appropriate materials and by failing to block inappropriate content, Law.com via USA Today (July 24, 2003)

*   E-Legal: The Failure of Internet Blocking in Schools and Libraries
a recent study by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Online Policy Group (OPG) concludes that the blocking software used is not accomplishing the purposes of CIPA because it blocks appropriate materials and fails to block inappropriate content, Law.com (registration required) (July 22, 2003)

*   Bill Aims to Curb Net Censorship
Would-be Internet censors in places such as China and Myanmar could have a tougher time restricting the free flow of information, according to a measure that the U.S. House of Representatives approved, CNET News.com (July 17, 2003)

*   Supremely Blocked: Libraries and Filters
A recent study by the EFF and the Online Policy Group examined the effects of N2H2 and SurfControl's filtering software, two of the popular products on the market, InternetNews.com (July 11, 2003)

*   CIPA Makes Filters the Law of the Land
The party’s over — for free, public access to the Internet, Philadelphia Gay News (July 4, 2003)

*   Dick Armey, Porn King?
Internet porn filters have a faulty track record, but Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court insist libraries can't receive federal funds without them, Alibi (July 3, 2003)

*   Curbs on Rights Roil Hong Kong
Chinese news sites on the mainland Tuesday filtered and blocked links to stories on the protest in Hong Kong, and CNN was briefly blacked out, Christian Science Monitor via Business Week (July 2, 2003)

*   Internet Blocking in Public Schools Report Published
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Online Policy Group have published Internet Blocking in Public Schools, a report on "extent to which blocking software impedes the educational process by restricting access to web pages relevant to the required curriculum", Nonprofit Online News (June 27, 2003)

*   High Court Backs CIPA
The Supreme Court majority, led by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, ruled that the interest of protecting children was greater than the First Amendment rights of adult patrons, Philadelphia Gay News (June 26, 2003)

*   Justices Put Access to Online Information in the Wrong Hands
Supreme Court gives Congress free rein to force libraries to apply filters to block access to Internet pornography or lose federal funding, Online Journalism Review (June 26, 2003)

*   A World Map to Outwit Web Censors
Internet censorship is the focus of research projects at Harvard, Cambridge and University of Toronto, which have agreed to collaborate to map Internet for blockages in 15 countries; project will enlist thousands of volunteers worldwide, who lend their computers to effort called distributed computing, which uses them to process data while not in active use, New York Times (June 26, 2003)

*   Fulton Library Director's View Backed at Top
Two years ago, Dave Ewick testified in a federal court case that public libraries would benefit from having anti-pornography computer filters, South Bend Tribune (June 25, 2003)

*   Internet Filtering Not in Library's Plans
Pornography filters won’t be installed on computers at Paris Public Library even though the nation’s high court has ruled that the federal government can cut funding to libraries that don’t filter Internet content, Paris News (June 25, 2003)

*   Internet Filters and Free Speech
Librarians should do their best to prevent the law from interfering with free expression, but they should also be ready to go back to court if it does, New York Times (June 25, 2003)

*   Internet gives Iraqis an outlet
With Baghdad in its third month since the war with no citywide phone service, Iraqis have turned to newly reopened Internet centers for inexpensive chats with far-flung relatives and Web searches for new business opportunities, Mercury News (June 25, 2003)

*   Libraries May Spurn Porn Filters
After a Supreme Court ruling to filter public computers from pornography, some libraries in Arkansas may choose to give up federal money that they get for Internet service, KARK-TV (June 25, 2003)

*   Filter-Bashing Alive and Well
Librarians say a Supreme Court ruling upholding legislation to shield minors from obscene online content will end up subjecting the broader population to another evil: bad filtering software, Wired News (June 24, 2003)

*   Supreme Court Supports Library Internet Blocking Law
The Supreme Court ruled today that a federal statute requiring Internet blocking, also known as filtering, in libraries receiving certain federal funds or discounts is constitutional, Online Policy Group and Electronic Frontier Foundation (June 23, 2003)
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*   Court OKs Anti-Porn Filters in Libraries
A sharply divided Supreme Court ruled Monday that Congress can force the nation's public libraries to equip computers with anti-pornography filters, Associated Press via ABC News (June 23, 2003)

*   When Spam Filters Go Bad
In June, the company that provides cable modem service, Road Runner, installed a superaggressive new set of spam blockers on its e-mail servers and this reporter suddenly noticed all email stopped for nearly three hours, Salon (June 19, 2003)

*   Your Money or Your Speech: The Children's Internet Protection Act and the Congressional Assault on the First Amendment in Public Libraries
CIPA is, in fact, one of the most sweeping restrictions on constitutionally protected speech ever invoked by the United States government disingenuously presented as an uncontroversial funding decision, Washington University Law Quarterly (Adobe PDF format) (June 15, 2003)

*   Spam E-Mail Is Reaching Most Children, Study Says
Four out of every five children receive inappropriate spam e-mail touting get-rich-quick schemes, loan programs and pornographic materials, according to a study released on Monday by Internet security provider Symantec Corp, Reuters (June 9, 2003)

*   Porn Blocks Urged on Hi-Tech Mobiles
Parents should think twice before buying children the latest mobile phones, experts warned yesterday, amid concerns that new technology could draw them into the seedy world of internet porn, The Observer (May 11, 2003)

*   Monster.com's Resume Purge Draws Fire
In a move the company claims is designed to comply with federal regulations, Monster.com on Thursday will delete most references to certain countries from job postings and resumes, CNET News.com (April 23, 2003)

*   Software Rams Great Firewall of China
The news and propaganda wing behind the U.S. government's Voice of America broadcasts has commissioned software that lets Chinese Web surfers sneak around the boundaries set by their government, CNET News.com (April 16, 2003)

*   Report Criticizes Google's Porn Filters
Children using Google's SafeSearch feature, designed to filter out links to Web sites with adult content, may be shielded from far more than their parents ever intended, CNET News.com (April 10, 2003)

*   ACLU Loses Digital Copyright Battle
The American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday lost its first attempt to challenge a controversial 1998 copyright law, CNET News (April 9, 2003)

*   German Law Shields Children From Content
Germany became the first country in Europe to enact legislation protecting minors from harmful media content, Washington Internet Daily via NewsEdge via ComputerUser.com (April 3, 2003)

*   Pa. Won't Identify Web Sites Blocked
Pennsylvania's attorney general is citing laws against distributing child pornography in refusing to identify any of hundreds of Web sites his office has forced the nation's largest Internet providers to block under a unique state law, Associated Press via SiliconValley.com (April 3, 2003)

*   Congress Mulls New Peer-to-Peer Porn Restrictions
Members of Congress on Thursday said new laws aimed at restricting pornography on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks might be necessary to protect childrenincluding the possibility of a government-mandated ratings system for files on P2P networks, CNET News.com (March 13, 2003)

*   Censoring the Internet
The Children's Internet Protection Act is the first federal law ever to impose free-speech restrictions on local libraries, and it does so in a constitutionally unacceptable way, New York Times (free registration) (March 10, 2003)

*   Computers in Libraries Make Moral Judgments, Selectively
What better conjures up the broken promises of the Internet than the image of children sitting in a public library downloading pornography?, New York Times (free registration) (March 9, 2003)

*   COPA Unconsitutional - A Futile Anti-Porn Crusade?
The federal government's crusade to protect children from the Internet's seamier side took another hit yesterday, as a federal appeals court in Philadelphia knocked down yet another law aimed at online pornography, Washington Post (March 7, 2003)

*   Court Strikes Down Online Porn Law
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Children's Online Protection Act is "constitutionally infirm", Newsday (March 7, 2003)

*   Sides Debate Web Access in Libraries
Two visions of the Internet competed today at the Supreme Court in an argument on whether the government can require public libraries to install antipornography filters as the price for receiving federal financing for Internet access, New York Times (free registration) (March 6, 2003)

*   The Supreme Debate
The U.S. Supreme Court today will hear arguments in one of the Internet's most incendiary policy scuffles -- whether public schools and libraries must use software to block sexual content from the Internet if they want to receive federal funding for technology improvements, Washington Post (March 5, 2003)

*   High Court to Hear Web Smut Case
In the latest test of Congress' ability to control online content, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments over whether libraries should be required to filter out porn on their Internet-connected computers, Reuters via CNET News (March 5, 2003)

*   Online Policy Group, Seth Finkelstein, Submit CIPA Brief
The Online Policy Group (OPG) and software expert Seth Finkelstein have submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting a lower court decision that the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) places unconstitutional limitations on free speech of library patrons by requiring the use of technology protection measures in libraries receiving certain federal funding or discounts., Library and Information Science News (February 10, 2003)

*   OPG, Seth Finkelstein, Submit CIPA Amicus
The Online Policy Group (OPG) and software expert Seth Finkelstein have submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting a lower court decision that the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) places unconstitutional limitations on free speech of library patrons by requiring the use of technology protection measures in libraries receiving certain federal funding or discounts., LawMeme (February 10, 2003)

*   OPG and Finkelstein Submit CIPA Amicus Brief
The Online Policy Group (OPG) and software expert Seth Finkelstein have submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting a lower court decision that the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) places unconstitutional limitations on free speech of library patrons by requiring the use of technology protection measures in libraries receiving certain federal funding or discounts., GrepLaw (February 10, 2003)

*   Email Vetting Blocks MPs' Sex Debate
A new email vetting system at the English House of Commons is stifling debate among MPs over serious parliamentary business such as the Sexual Offences Bill, BBC (February 4, 2003)

*   DMCA: Dow What It Wants to Do
Responding to Digital Millennium Copyright Act charges over a Dow Chemical parody site, Verio plans to throw The Thing--an ISP which has provided Internet connectivity, technical support and Web design services to New York City artists and political activists for over a decade--offline next month, Wired News (December 31, 2002)
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*   Filtering Software May Block Access to Health Information, Study Finds
Software meant to protect young people from the seamier side of the Internet may also be blocking them from important health information on issues ranging from diabetes and sexually transmitted diseases to depression and suicide, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study released this afternoon, Washington Post (December 10, 2002)

*   Internet Filters Block Health Information, Study Finds
Teenagers who look to the Internet for health information as part of their "wired generation" birthright are blocked from many useful sites by antipornography filters that federal law requires in school and library computers, a new study has found, New York Times (December 10, 2002)

*   An Inside Look at China Filters
An article on Chinese filtering mentions that the Online Policy Group and the Electronic Frontier Foundation will publish a study later this month detailing how America's public schools are filtering websites on issues from firearms to slavery, kiddie porn to pogo sticks, Wired News (December 4, 2002)
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*   Bush Signs Child Net Safety Law
President George W. Bush on Tuesday signed into law legislation to create a new kids-safe "dot-kids" domain on the Internet, Associated Press on CNN (December 4, 2002)

*   French Order Is Greek to 9th Circuit
An order barring the cross-Atlantic enforcement of a French court's order against Yahoo Inc. hit rough waters Monday at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, The Recorder (December 3, 2002)

*   What Would Dewey Do? Libraries Grapple With Internet
Some users of the central Phoenix library are clicking away at sexually explicit material, creating one of the thorniest issues that libraries nationwide now face: balancing community standards against the First Amendment rights of patrons who use the computers to view X-rated material, New York Times (December 2, 2002)

*   Alumni Group Threatens Lawsuit Over Website Ban
An alumni group is threatening to take the Air Force Academy to court, hoping to force the school to stop blocking computers on its network from accessing the group's parody website at edodo.org, Air Force Times (December 2, 2002)

*   Paying the Price
The effects of CIPA on high school student newspapers are not difficult to see, according to Will Doherty, media relations director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation and executive director of the Online Policy Group, Student Press Law Center Report (December 1, 2002)

*   The Censor and the Artist: A Murky Border
A conference on free expression and the arts at Columbia University focused on new limits on artistic freedom in a high-tech culture in which artists seeking access to images and information often find themselves in battle with companies determined to protect their content and trademarks from unauthorized use, New York Times (November 26, 2002)

*   Piqua's Library Has to Flesh Out Its Own Website
Library Director James Oda earlier this month attempted to access the library's new website — www.fleshpublic.lib.oh.us — to show it off for the library staff, but unfortunately, the library computer denied him access, Dayton Daily News (November 22, 2002)

*   Common-Sense Rules Can Protect Children on the Net
Congress can pass all the laws it wants and civil-liberties groups can challenge those laws, but regardless of what the government does, it's up to parents and kids themselves to assure a safe passage while online, Mercury News (November 20, 2002)

*   Net Porn Filters Just Don't Work
As well-intentioned as the filter-the-Net folks might be, the reality is that existing technology can't get the job done, San Francisco Chronicle (November 13, 2002)

*   Justices to Review Internet Pornography Filters
The Supreme Court agreed today to review Congress's latest effort to shield children from pornography on the Internet, a federal law that requires libraries to install filters on all computers providing Internet access to adults as well as to young patrons, New York Times (November 13, 2002)

*   How the U.S. Can Stop Internet Censorship
Firewalls and content filtering software are designed to screen Internet traffic that could be dangerous to your PC, but they can also be used to censor Internet content, CNET/ZDNet Reviews (November 13, 2002)

*   Supreme Court to Hear Web Porn Case
The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide if public libraries can be forced to install software that blocks sexually explicit Web sites, the latest in Congress' string of attempts to shield children from Internet pornography, Associated Press via ABC News.com (November 12, 2002)

*   Australians to Pull Plug on Protest Websites
Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison, acting on a request from NSW Police Minister Michael Costa, will look at upgrading federal powers to block certain "unacceptable websites advocating or facilitating violent protest action be accessible from Australia", The Courier-Mail (November 7, 2002)

*   Fighting Net Censorship Abroad
Washington lawmakers are considering legislation that would allocate $100 million to thwart Internet censorship by authoritarian regimes, Wired News (October 3, 2002)

*   Web-Filtering Company Asks Judge to Throw Out Law Student's Suit
The student, Benjamin G. Edelman, wants a judge to clear the way for him to obtain and disseminate the list of Web sites that N2H2 blocks, Chronicle of Higher Education (October 2, 2002)

*   Prisoners of K Street
You want to require all schools and libraries that get federal funds to impose filtering? No problem-insert it into in an appropriations bill, CEI UpDate (October 1, 2002)

*   SmartFilter Stupidity - Book Sites As Sex
With a Federal censorware law (CIPA) affecting schools and libraries, the freedom to read, if using a computer screen rather than paper, is arguably being extensively threatened, Seth Finkelstein (September 23, 2002)

*   News the New Net Addiction
A recent survey found that workers frequent on-line news sites more often than things like pornography, gambling or even shopping sites -- and they consider news one of the most addictive things available on the Internet, Reuters via GlobeTechnology.com (September 23, 2002)

*   WorldCom Blocks Access to Child Porn
Last week, a Pennsylvania judge, at the request of Attorney General Mike Fisher, ordered WorldCom, the bankrupt Internet and voice provider, to block access to five purported child pornography sites, CNET News.com (September 23, 2002)

*   Hey Filters, Leave the Kids Alone
A small group of activists gathered in front of Mission High School on Wednesday to protest federally mandated Internet filtering in public schools, Wired News (September 19, 2002)
   *

*   Schools, Teachers and Parents Rally Against Internet Law
School administrators along with students, teachers, parents and school librarians rallied against federal mandates for Internet blocking or filtering software in public schools, UPI (September 19, 2002)

*   Internet Filtering Hurts Those Who Are Least Able to Protest It
A report by the EFF and the Online Policy Group found that schools that implement Internet blocking software with the most restrictive settings will block up to 70% of search results based on state-mandated curriculum topics, O'Reilly Network (September 18, 2002)

*   Controversial Web Filtering Storms Schools
As schools across the nation get settled into the academic year, students may notice something strange about accessing the Internet on campus computers, as some sites, whether pornographic or not, simply may not load, Internetnews.com (September 18, 2002)

*   Kids Barred From Pogo Stick Access, Says EFF
A survey by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has concluded that childrens' access to Web sites using commonly used filtering software package is being unnecessarily nannyish, Inquirer (September 18, 2002)

*   Watchdogs Launch Attack on Filter Law
Free speech proponents are stepping up their fight against Internet filtering in schools, waging a grassroots campaign against a law that requires Web blocking as a condition of federal funding, CNET (September 18, 2002)

*   Schools Use Web Filters That Block Useful Sites, Groups Say
Tens of thousands of educational websites are blocked by Internet filtering software used in U.S. schools, Internet civil liberties groups said, Bloomberg (September 18, 2002)

*   Schools Install Internet Filters
All across the country, schools are installing filters or expanding their use despite flaws in the software, which sometimes blocks legitimate sites needed for lessons, AP via Salon (September 15, 2002)

*   China Implements "Great Fire Wall"
In the last week and a half, China has begun using more sophisticated, expensive technologies in an effort to keep its growing number of Internet users from viewing undesirable content on the Web, AP via Salon (September 11, 2002)

*   Filters, Schools Like Oil, Water
Under the Children's Internet Protection Act, schools must use filtering technology to block obscene websites from students or they will lose their e-rate funding, Wired News (September 6, 2002)

*   In With the Good, Out With the Bad
In the middle of leading a workshop at his school district last year, Art Wolinsky discovered that the professional development web site he had helped build was being blocked by the district's Internet filter, Scholastic Administrator (September 1, 2002)

*   Students Find Fault With Schools' Net Use
Broken computers and blocked Web sites keep students from using the Internet as a valuable teaching tool at school, Columbus Dispatch (August 15, 2002)

*   Libraries Restrict Web for Kids
The trustees of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District turned down demands Monday to filter Internet access for everyone. Instead, they voted 4-3 to make an adjustment, The Oregonian (August 13, 2002)

*   Edelman vs. N2H2: Can He Hack It?
At 10:30 a.m. EST this morning, the ACLU filed suit in the US District Court of Massachusetts on behalf of Berkman Affiliate Ben Edelman, asking for a declaratory judgment that he can legally "hack" the controversial N2H2 filtering program, share (publish) the results of his research, and distribute the tool he uses to do it, Corante Copyfight (July 31, 2002)

*   Cybercafe Crackdown May Trip Up Leering Boys
Shahid Masood is a bit down on the Internet these days, although he has never seen anyone who looks like a terrorist at the cybercafe he owns in Pakistan, Lahore Journal via New York Times (July 27, 2002)

* ACLU Mounts New Challenge to Electronic Copyright Law; More Tech Policy Briefs
The ACLU asked a Massachusetts federal court to rule that a computer researcher has a constitutional right to examine a list of blocked Web sites contained in an Internet blocking program, Washington Post (July 25, 2002)

* ACLU Mounts New Challenge to Electronic Copyright Law; More Tech Policy Briefs
The ACLU asked a Massachusetts federal court to rule that a computer researcher has a constitutional right to examine a list of blocked Web sites contained in an Internet blocking program, Washington Post (July 25, 2002)

*   Edelman v. N2H2, Inc. - Requesting Declaratory Judgment
Ben Eldeman today filed suit in Massachusetts federal court seeking a declaratory judgement to allow him to conduct research into a controversial Internet blocking program from defendant N2H2, Inc., GrepLaw.org (July 25, 2002)

* On Trial: Digital Copyright Law
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on Thursday in an attempt to overturn key portions of a controversial 1998 copyright law, CNET News.com (July 25, 2002)

*   ACLU Files Suit Challenging Technology Copyright Law
he American Civil Liberties Union filed suit Tuesday challenging a controversial 1998 federal law that forbids the dissemination of information that could be used to bypass copy-protection schemes, Associated Press via SiliconValley.com (July 25, 2002)

*   Could Hollywood Hack Your PC?
Congress is about to consider an entertainment industry proposal that would authorize copyright holders to disable PCs used for illicit file trading, CNET News.com (July 23, 2002)

*   Can the Internet Survive Filtering?
The digital chain connecting one's laptop to a Web site thousands of miles away can be traversed by a single click--so long as no link within the chain refuses to carry the signal, CNET News.com (July 23, 2002)

*   Filter-Free Access to Internet OK'd By Buffalo-Area Board
Internet access in the 52 public libraries in Buffalo and Erie County will remain free and unrestricted to users after a decision Thursday by library officials to keep filters off library computers, Buffalo News (July 19, 2002)

*   Yahoo Admits Changing E-Mail Text to Block Hackers
Yahoo! Inc. confirmed on Wednesday that its e-mail software has automatically changed certain words -- including evaluate -- in a bid to prevent hackers from spreading viruses, Reuters via Yahoo! News (July 17, 2002)

*   Israel Blocks Palestinian ISP
Early Monday morning, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops took over the offices of Palnet, the leading Palestinian Internet service provider, shutting down the firm's operations, Wired News (July 16, 2002)
   *

*   Documentation of Internet Filtering in Saudi Arabia
"The authors conclude (1) that the Saudi government maintains an active interest in filtering non-sexually explicit Web content for users within the Kingdom; (2) that substantial amounts of non-sexually explicit Web content is in fact effectively inaccessible to most Saudi Arabians; and (3) that much of this content consists of sites that are popular elsewhere in the world", Harvard Law School Berkman Center for Internet & Society (July 15, 2002)

*   Hacker Group Targets Net Censorship
Some of the world's best-known hackers unveiled a plan this weekend to offer free software to promote anonymous Web surfing in countries where the Internet is censored, especially China and Middle Eastern nations, Reuters via CNET News (July 14, 2002)

*   The Mystery of the Bounced E-mails Solved -- The ISP Filtered It
Mary Alice Gorman and Richard Goldman, the husband and wife owners of Oakmont, Pennsylvania's Mystery Lovers Bookshop, are veteran e-newsletter publishers, but it never occurred to them that an ISP was bouncing their e-mails on purpose, Bookselling This Week (July 10, 2002)

*   Cyber-Cafes 'Ordered to Install Spy Programs' After Fatal Fire
nternet cafes are being ordered to install software that can prevent access to up to 500,000 foreign websites and alerts police when users try to access illicit pages, a rights group said, South China Morning Post via asiamedia.ucla.edu (June 29, 2002)

*   Critics Take Aim at New Filtering Service
New filtering software that relies on website operators to label their content has found favor with some of the Internet's most popular portals, but developers of commercial filtering products question the value of the system's voluntary approach, Washington Post (June 25, 2002)

*   Net Bigwigs Label Sites' Content
Trying to do their part to make the Web more child-friendly, technology heavyweights including America Online, Microsoft and Yahoo say they've labeled almost every page on their sites with an updated content-assessment system, CNET News.com (June 25, 2002)

*   The Librarian's Web Dilemma
In the 12 public libraries serving the city and its county in South Carolina, adults were looking for pornographic images online and didn't care who saw them and, by some accounts, were showing the images to children passing by, New York Times (June 20, 2002)

*   High Court to Consider Net Filters
The Bush administration renewed its legal fight against Internet pornography on Thursday, asking the Supreme Court to permit Congress to pressure public libraries to block sexually explicit Web sites, Associated Press via New York Times (June 20, 2002)

*   Bush Presses Supremes on Filters
The Bush administration renewed its legal fight against Internet pornography on Thursday, asking the Supreme Court to permit Congress to pressure public libraries to block sexually explicit websites, Associated Press via Wired News (June 20, 2002)

*   Bush Administration Appeals Internet-Pornography Ruling to Supreme Court
The Bush administration renewed its legal fight against Internet pornography on Thursday, asking the Supreme Court to permit Congress to pressure public libraries to block sexually explicit websites, Associated Press via Mercury News (June 20, 2002)

*   Anti-Censorship Hero Under Microscope
Bennet Haselton has reached notoriety by writing an application that disables Internet filtering, Geek.com (June 18, 2002)

*   Anti-Censorship Advocate Clashes With Anti-Pornography Filterers
Internet activist Bennett Haselton has made a name for himself by helping minors disable filtering programs designed to block Web sites that their parents deem offensive or pornographic, Associated Press via Mercury News (June 17, 2002)

*   Prince William Libraries to Keep Web Filters
Prince William County library officials say they intend to continue limiting what adults can see on the Internet, even though a panel of three federal judges recently ruled that such restrictions violate patrons' free speech rights, Washington Post (June 12, 2002)

*   Libraries Open Debate on Internet Safeguards
Ralph Calafiore, a Lincoln father of two, will be at Gere Library Saturday for one of two public meetings on city libraries' Internet Safety Policy, Lincoln Journal Star (June 11, 2002)

*   Beijing Punishes Net Portals Over 'Unsuitable Content'
On Tuesday, police in Beijing visited the offices of nine major Web portals and punished three for inappropriate content, South China Morning Post (June 6, 2002)

*   Libraries Breathe Easy After Court Ruling On Internet Filters
Freed from the threat of losing millions in federal funds, Washington, D.C. area libraries heaved a sigh of relief Friday after a federal appeals court overturned a law that would have required them to install Internet filters to block access to pornographic websites, Washington Post (June 3, 2002)

*   Internet Filtering Overruled
Government efforts to restrict access to online pornography were set back again yesterday when a panel of federal judges struck down a law requiring public libraries to install Internet filters to block access to objectionable sites, Washington Post (June 1, 2002)

*   Court Overturns Law Mandating Internet Filters for Public Libraries
A federal court panel struck down a law requiring libraries to filter the Internet for material harmful to minors yesterday, saying that the technology blocks so much unobjectionable material that it would violate the First Amendment rights of library patrons, New York Times (June 1, 2002)

*   Judges Strike Down Internet Porn Filters
In a unanimous decision, the three judges of a special panel said the Children's Internet Protection Act is "invalid under the First Amendment" because it requires libraries to use technology that blocks access to legitimate sites on the World Wide Web, while still giving access to some porn sites, Washington Post (May 31, 2002)

*   Rep. Ernest Istook Says Supreme Court Will Uphold Library Filtering
Congressman Ernest Istook (R-OK) expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will overturn today's ruling by a three-judge panel on the Children's Internet Protection Act, Declan McCullagh's Politech (May 31, 2002)

*   Court Overturns Library Filtering Rules
A federal court has struck down rules that would have required libraries to block children's access to offensive Web material or lose federal funds, handing a win to librarians and free-speech advocates, CNET News.com (May 31, 2002)

*   Federal Law Requiring Net Filtering at Libraries Thrown Out
Three federal judges today threw out a federal law that would have forced public libraries to equip computers with software designed to block access to Internet pornography, Associated Press via Freedom Forum (May 31, 2002)

*   Federal Judges Reject Online Porn Law
Three federal judges on Friday threw out a federal law that would have forced public libraries to equip computers with software designed to block access to Internet pornography, Associated Press via MSNBC (May 31, 2002)

*   Software Stance May Cost Library
The Chapel Hill Public Library may give up thousands of dollars in federal subsidies rather than buy software designed to keep patrons from seeing Internet pornography, The Herald-Sun (May 29, 2002)
   *

*   Bills Would Limit Access to Internet at Libraries
The Illinois House and Senate on Wednesday advanced separate measures that would aim to limit minors' access to sexually explicit material in public libraries, Post-Dispatch (May 29, 2002)

*   Meeks Wants Sex-Net Filters at Libraries
A group of Internet filter advocates, after butting heads Tuesday with the Chicago Library Board, vowed to hold a protest this weekend to further press their point, Chicago Sun-Times (May 22, 2002)

*   Smut Vs. Safety
CBS Radio News Tech Analyst Larry Magid has some advice for Congress about protecting kids online, CBS (May 21, 2002)

*   Library's Internet Policy Debated
The question of the Internet and pornography in local libraries arrived Monday night at the intersection of personal pain and public policy, The Columbian (May 14, 2002)

*   Protecting Kids From Internet Porn
One of the best ways to protect children from pornography on the Internet may be to teach them to protect themselves, experts said on Thursday, CBS (May 2, 2002)

*   Librarian: Filters Are Fab
The U.S. Justice Department, which is defending the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in court, is seeking to show that not all librarians agree with the ALA's thou-shalt-not-block stand, Wired News (April 4, 2002)

*   Judges Blast Library Filtering
A two-week trial over library filtering ended Thursday with a trio of judges criticizing the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as an unreasonable intrusion into the rights of Americans to view legal material online, Wired News (April 4, 2002)

*   Judges End U.S. Library Porn Trial on Skeptical Note
A two-week federal trial to determine how far the government can go to protect children from pornography on library computers ended on Thursday with judges openly concerned about whether the latest online smut law from Congress infringes on free-speech rights, Reuters via New York Times (requires free registration) (April 4, 2002)

*   Judges Iffy About Library Filtering Law
A trial to determine how far the government can go to protect children from pornography ended Thursday with judges openly concerned about whether the latest online smut law from Congress infringes on free-speech rights, Reuters via CNETNews.com (April 4, 2002)

*   Judges End U.S. Library Porn Trial on Skeptical Note
A two-week federal trial to determine how far the government can go to protect children from pornography on library computers ended on Thursday with judges openly concerned about whether the latest online smut law from Congress infringes on free-speech rights, Reuters via New York Times (requires free registration) (April 4, 2002)

*   A Worthwhile Web Regulation
Today final arguments will be made in a federal trial in Philadelphia challenging the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000, New York Times (requires free registration) (April 4, 2002)

*   The Evil of Silent Censorship
The "Children's Internet Protection Act (CHIPA)" is a new national law that sounds great at first blush (who doesn't want to protect kids?), but it actually will force public librarians and public schools to use these clumsy, inefficient and even harmful filters on all public-access computers, LangaList (April 4, 2002)

*   A Software Program Too Far?
Though I'm an admittedly overprotective parent, I would argue that CIPA overreaches, Dallas Fort Worth Star-Telegram (April 4, 2002)

*   Full Assault on Filter Software
Lipow told a panel of federal judges on Tuesday that Congress' attempt to force the use of anti-smutware in public libraries is positively Stalinist, Wired News (April 3, 2002)

*   Old Principles Guide Librarians on Net
Cooper and Candace Morgan, associate director of Fort Vancouver Regional Library, are leading a national battle against the law, which requires libraries to filter Internet access, The Oregonian (April 3, 2002)

*   Standing Up to the Law
Wisconsin libraries are part of a group of plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Los Angeles Times (April 1, 2002)

*   Porn in the Court: Battle Rages Over Web Smut
In the first week of a trial debating the constitutionality of a requirement that public libraries install porn-blocking software on their computers, gray-haired librarians uttered words that could make a longshoreman blush, soft-spoken computer analysts described bizarre sexual proclivities and federal judges mulled the definition of "fetish", Associated Press via CNN (April 1, 2002)

*   Librarians Testify in Internet Case
In the first week of a trial debating the constitutionality of a requirement that public libraries install porn-blocking software on their computers, gray-haired librarians uttered words that could make a longshoreman blush, soft-spoken computer analysts described bizarre sexual proclivities and federal judges mulled the definition of "fetish", Associated Press via Salon (April 1, 2002)

*   Filters for Web Work, Librarian Tells Federal Court
Testimony in Children's Internet Protection Act trial, Philadelphia Inquirer (March 29, 2002)

*   Govt. Witnesses Wrap Up First Week of Filtering Trial
A landmark trial to determine whether the government has the right to withhold federal funding from libraries that refuse to install filtering software on their computers is ticking along on schedule today, with U.S. government witnesses wrapping up the first week of testimony, Newsbytes (March 29, 2002)

*   Govt. Witnesses Wrap Up First Week of Filtering Trial
A landmark trial to determine whether the government has the right to withhold federal funding from libraries that refuse to install filtering software on their computers is ticking along on schedule today, with U.S. government witnesses wrapping up the first week of testimony, Newsbytes (March 29, 2002)

*   Librarians Fight Children's Internet Protection Act
Not a lot of news coverage is being given to the landmark lawsuit that began Monday in which the American Library Association is challenging the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000 (CIPA), Holt Uncensored (March 29, 2002)

*   Feds Mount Defense of Library Porn Law
The U.S. government sought on Thursday to defend its bid to protect children from online pornography in public libraries, with testimony about Internet software that allows library patrons to view explicit text but not photos on the World Wide Web, Reuters via CNN (March 28, 2002)

*   Librarian Testifies Against Censorship
Vigilant libraries can keep pornography off their computer terminals and fulfill the requirements of a federal law without stepping on the First Amendment, a librarian testified Thursday, Associated Press via Yahoo (March 28, 2002)

*   Smut Filter Snags Non-Smut, Too
Rood took the witness stand in federal court to testify that her attempts to research her sexuality in the public library before coming out as a lesbian would have been prohibited by smut-filtering technologies, Wired News (March 27, 2002)

*   Porn Trial Experts Say Software Block Limited
Filtering software intended to protect children from exposure to pornography on library computers is doomed to fail despite its congressional endorsement as a viable safeguard, computer experts testified in federal court on Tuesday, Reuters via CNN (March 27, 2002)

*   Witnesses Advocate Unfiltered Internet
A child-protection law would make libraries block certain material and U.S. judges heard testimony about usefulness, Philadelphia Inquirer (March 27, 2002)

*   Porn-Filter Trial Gets Raunchy
Raunchy depictions of explicit sex punctuated a trial over library filtering on Monday when government attorneys argued the images were unsuitable for display on public terminals, Wired News (March 26, 2002)

*   Censorship Has Worked, Library Says
Although librarians and the American Civil Liberties Union appeared in court Monday in Philadelphia to battle a federal law requiring libraries and schools to block sexually explicit images from their Internet computers, Jefferson Parish's filtering system has caused little controversy since going on line 14 months ago, Times Picayune (March 26, 2002)

*   Experts Lambaste Smut Filters
Filtering software intended to protect children from exposure to pornography on library computers is doomed to fail despite its congressional endorsement as a viable safeguard, computer experts testified in federal court on Tuesday, Reuters via Wired News (March 26, 2002)

*   Librarians Testify Against Web-Filter Requirement
in Children's Internet Protection Act legal challenge, Philadelphia Inquirer (March 26, 2002)

*   Net Filters Fail the Children
A report casting doubt on the effectiveness of filtering software has been released on the first day of a US court case challenging a federal law requiring libraries to restrict access to some net content, BBC News (March 26, 2002)

*   Library Net Filtering Battle Heads for Court
A group of free-speech advocates is gearing up for a trial that could determine the constitutionality of a law requiring schools and libraries to filter Web content or forgo federal funding, ZDNet News (March 25, 2002)

*   Porn-Filter Judge Boots Public
A trio of federal judges abruptly kicked members of the public out of a library filtering trial on Monday, saying they feared confidential smut-blocking techniques would be disclosed, Wired News (March 25, 2002)

*   U.S. Library Porn Law Battle Heads for Court
The latest attempt by Congress to control pornography on the Internet was scheduled to go to trial on Monday in Philadelphia, where a coalition of libraries, library patrons and Web site operators is battling the Children's Internet Protection Act, Reuters via Yahoo! News (March 25, 2002)

*   U.S. Library Porn Law Battle Heads for Court
The latest attempt by Congress to control pornography on the Internet was scheduled to go to trial on Monday in Philadelphia, where a coalition of libraries, library patrons and Web site operators is battling the Children's Internet Protection Act, Reuters via Yahoo! News (March 25, 2002)

*   Librarians Argue Against Net Filtering
Two soft-spoken, gray-haired librarians fired the opening salvo on Monday in a battle over how far the U.S. government can go to protect children from exposure to pornography on library computers, Reuters via CNET News.com (March 25, 2002)

*   Law Limiting Internet in Libraries Challenged
A law passed by Congress in December 2000 requiring schools and libraries to use Internet filtering software changes the nature of libraries from being places that provide information to places that unconstitutionally restrict it, New York Times (requires free registration) (March 25, 2002)

*   Internet Filtering Technology Put to Legal Test
A federal law requiring public libraries to filter Internet pornography and other objectionable material on their computers will be put to the test beginning Monday before a federal court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a host of civil liberty and free speech advocates back a lawsuit against the federal government, Newsfactor.com via Yahoo! News (March 25, 2002)

*   Internet Filtering Technology Put to Legal Test
A federal law requiring public libraries to filter Internet pornography and other objectionable material on their computers will be put to the test beginning Monday before a federal court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a host of civil liberty and free speech advocates back a lawsuit against the federal government, Newsfactor.com via Yahoo! News (March 25, 2002)

*   Librarians Open Case Against Internet Filtering Law
Civil libertarians, scientists and librarians led the charge today in a case challenging the constitutionality of a new federal law designed to bar access to pornography at the nation's public libraries, Newsbytes (March 25, 2002)

*   Libraries Challenge Net Filter Requirement
The plaintiffs say a federal act aimed at curbing pornography leads to the blocking of legitimate information, Los Angeles Times (March 25, 2002)

*   Internet Porn Battle Heads for Court
Children's Internet Protection Act legal challenge, CNN (March 25, 2002)

*   Court to Hear Net Filtering Challenge
A group of free-speech advocates is gearing up for a trial that could determine the constitutionality of a law requiring schools and libraries to filter Web content or forgo federal funding, CNET News.com (March 25, 2002)

*   Court to Hear Net Filtering Challenge
A group of free-speech advocates is gearing up for a trial that could determine the constitutionality of a law requiring schools and libraries to filter Web content or forgo federal funding, CNET News.com (March 25, 2002)

*   Librarians Fighting Internet-Filter Law
A battle over free speech and online pornography returns to the nation's birthplace today as librarians try to convince a federal court that requiring them to block access adult materials amounts to censorship, Associated Press via Mercury News (March 25, 2002)

*   Librarians, Advocates Present Case Against Federal Net Filtering Law
The Children's Internet Protection Act trial, which started last Monday in Federal Court in Philadelphia, is expected to run for around 9 days with the legal challenge focusing on the requirement that libraries institute Internet filtering in order to receive federal tech funding grants, Associated Press via Wall Street Journal (paid subscription) (March 25, 2002)

*   Librarians, Advocates Present Case Against Federal Net Filtering Law
The Children's Internet Protection Act trial, which started last Monday in Federal Court in Philadelphia, is expected to run for around 9 days with the legal challenge focusing on the requirement that libraries institute Internet filtering in order to receive federal tech funding grants, Associated Press via Wall Street Journal (paid subscription) (March 25, 2002)

*   Libraries Tackle Children's Internet Protection Law
For the third time, a law passed by Congress to protect children from smut on the Internet is going on trial in federal court in Philadelphia, The Legal Intelligencer via law.com (March 22, 2002)

*   Library Net-Filtering Study Re-Released on Eve of Trial
With a federal trial on public libraries' use of controversial Web filters scheduled to start Monday, the Kaiser Family Foundation today re-released a months-old study's findings, showing that nearly two-thirds of high school students queried favor use of the filtering technologies, Newsbytes (March 22, 2002)

*   Blacklist's Demise Rekindles Spam Filtering Debate
To filter or not to filter, that is the question now that one of the Internet's more popular blacklists, ORBZ, is out of commission, Internet.com via Earthweb.com (March 21, 2002)

*   Book Banning in the 21st Century
In an effort to shield innocent minds from online "smut," the Children's Internet Protection Act -- or CIPA -- has mandated that all public schools and libraries using federal funds for Internet use or connections must install a filtering system by this July or risk losing the aid altogether, AlterNet (March 21, 2002)

*   Doubts Surround Internet Rating System
Will Doherty, executive director of the Online Policy Group, said that while the ratings system may be voluntary now, companies that host free Web pages, such as Yahoo, might mandate the self-ratings as part of the service agreement and noted that the ICRA rating system "is one step away from Internet blocking. It's an attempt to make censorship more palatable", PlanetOut (October 25, 2001)

*   Library: We Don't Want No Filters
The issue of filtering Internet access in public libraries is a delicate one, pitting the lofty notion of protecting children against First Amendment guarantees, Wired News (October 4, 2001)

*   San Francisco bans filters in libraries
San Francisco officials have voted to ban Internet filters on computers in local public libraries, risking the loss of some $20,000 in federal funds, CNET (October 2, 2001)

*   Clean It Up
If you take a classroom full of kids, several computers, an Internet connection, and a single teacher charged with overseeing it all, you're bound to have a problem, PC Magazine (September 25, 2001)

*   Censorship High
A 17-year-old takes a stand against a school Web-filtering system that screens out Planned Parenthood but not the Christian Coalition, Salon (June 14, 2001)

*   South Dakota -- Fire, Don't Filter
The State Government of South Dakota has chosen to treat their employees like adults and fire them, as opposed to installing Internet blocking software, when they use work computers for errant Net activities, Wired News (June 7, 2001)

*   Massachusetts Internet Filtering Technology Company Says Mandatory Filtering Laws Aren't Needed
SurfControl has issued a statement saying that Internet blocking laws are not necessary, CNET News (June 4, 2001)

*   Controversial Ruling on Library Filters
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a preliminary finding suggesting that librarians at the Minneapolis Public Library may have been subjected to a hostile work environment due to viewing of porn at patron computers, New York Times (June 1, 2001)

*   Employers Call Internet Filtering 'Absolute Necessity'
More than 75 percent of U.S. employers say that they need to use Internet blocking and monitoring technology to "combat" personal use of the Internet by workers during business hours, Washington Post (May 31, 2001)

*   Some Librarians Balking at Internet Filter Mandate
Many libraries in Iowa are not happy with the prospect of blocking Internet resources from their patrons, Chicago Tribune (May 30, 2001)

*   Online Safety for Children
Will Doherty, executive director of the Online Policy group presents ten tips for protecting your child online plus ten reasons why Internet blocking software can't work, TechTV (May 25, 2001)

*   Libraries Win Delay in Installing Internet Filters
Public schools and libraries have until at least July 2002 to comply with a federal law requiring Internet blocking technologies in exchange for federal grants and discounts, SiliconValley.com (May 16, 2001)

*   Libraries Win Delay in Installing Internet Filters
Public schools and libraries have until at least July 2002 to comply with a federal law requiring Internet blocking technologies in exchange for federal grants and discounts, San Francisco Chronicle (May 16, 2001)

*   Bill Ties E-Rate Funds To Net Anonymity Blockers
A bill proposed by Felix Grucci, Jr. (R-NY) would require schools and libraries recieving E-rate funding to block anonymous web and emailing services, Newsbytes (May 16, 2001)

*   ACLU, Library Groups Win Minor Victory In Filtering Case
Public libraries that receive federal funding for Internet access will have an extra year to decide whether to stop accepting the funds or to comply with a new law requiring Internet content filters on all computers, under the terms of an agreement reached by the US government and groups fighting the law, Newsbytes (May 16, 2001)

*   Filtering Company SurfControl Gets Patent
SurfControl, which produces Web and e-mail filters, said Thursday that it has been granted a U.S. patent for software that allows companies to block Web sites, despite the ire of online activists against such restrictions, CNET (May 10, 2001)

*  
*   AOL's New Filter on the Block
AOL integrates content recognition software produced by RuleSpace for website blocking using Parental Controls, Wired News (May 7, 2001)

*  
*   AOL's New Filter on the Block
AOL integrates content recognition software produced by RuleSpace for website blocking using Parental Controls, Wired News (May 7, 2001)

*   Internet Blocking - Public Policy Implications
Internet blocking presentation on technology, legal, and policy issues followed by a panel at the San Francisco Public Library with David Burt (N2H2), Will Doherty (OPG/EFF), Lee Tien (EFF), Mark Leno (SF Board of Supervisors), and Susan Hildreth (SF Public Library), Electronic Frontier Foundation via Online Policy Group (May 6, 2001)

*   Internet Blocking in Schools and Libraries: Law, Litigation, and Community Response
Internet blocking presentation on technology, legal, and policy issues followed by a panel at the San Francisco Public Library with David Burt (N2H2), Will Doherty (OPG/EFF), Lee Tien (EFF), Mark Leno (SF Board of Supervisors), and Susan Hildreth (SF Public Library), Bay Area Reporter (May 4, 2001)

*   LGBT Web Sites Blocked
Sunday, May 6, the Electronic Frontier Foundation will sponsor a panel discussion and presentation of Internet blocking technology and policy at the San Francisco Public Library's Koret Auditorium, Bay Area Reporter (May 3, 2001)

*   FilterGate, or Knowing What We're Walling In or Walling Out
A humorous and insightful essay on the problems associated with Internet blocking, MultiMedia Schools (May 1, 2001)

*   Down by Law: New Internet Laws Will Hurt the Poorest of the Poor
An opinion piece addressing the digital divide in the light of CHIPA and other government policies, A List Apart (April 6, 2001)

*  
*   Sweaty Scenes From the Life of an AOL Censor
A personal account from an employee in AOL's campaign to keep the Web safe for surburbia; though this month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled the corporation couldn't be held accountable for its customers' behavior, Village Voice (March 23, 2001)

* Censoring the Libraries
The latest threat comes from the Children's Internet Protection Act, passed by Congress in December, which is to take effect next month, San Francisco Chronicle (March 23, 2001)

* Library Smut Snit Heats Up
It was reunion time Tuesday on Capitol Hill, as conservatives rallied to decry Internet "bestiality," a jab at overly permissive liberals, and remind everyone that library filtering is not only a good idea but also a very good law, Wired News (March 21, 2001)
*

* CIPA Challenged
The Multnomah County Public Library (Portland Oregon area) and other plaintiffs filed a complaint in U.S. District Court against the U.S. and other defendants challenging the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Tech Law Journal Daily E-Mail Alert (March 21, 2001)

* Libraries: Filter Out Filters
Filtering software is so prone to glitches that it has no place in public libraries, librarians and free speech groups claim in two lawsuits filed Tuesday, Wired News (March 20, 2001)
*

*   Librarians Contest Law Requiring Net Filters
The American Civil Liberties Union and American Library Association filed separate suits Tuesday in a federal district court in Philadelphia challenging a new law that requires federally funded schools and libraries to install software that blocks "objectionable" online materials, Reuters via SiliconValley.com (March 20, 2001)

*  
*   Libraries Spearhead Attack on Cyber-Porn Law
At issue is a free speech challenge to a U.S. law designed to prevent children from being exposed to Internet pornography in public libraries and schools, Reuters via Industry Standard (March 20, 2001)

* Diverse Coalition Sues to Overturn Web-Filtering Law
Civil liberties groups joined a host of library associations today in challenging a new law that requires federally funded schools and libraries to install software that blocks "objectionable" online materials, Newsbytes (March 20, 2001)

* Lawsuits Slam Net Filtering Efforts
The American Civil Liberties Union and American Library Association filed separate suits Tuesday in a federal district court in Philadelphia challenging a new law that requires federally funded schools and libraries to install software that blocks "objectionable" online materials, CNET News (March 20, 2001)

*   Internet Filters Used to Shield Minors Censor Speech, Critics Say
When Jeffery Pollock ran for Congress last year, he posted his forceful opinions on more than a dozen topics on his Web site, pollock4congress.com, including his support for the federally mandated use of Internet "filtering" software to block pornography in schools and libraries; then he discovered that his own site was blocked by one of those filtering programs, Cyber Patrol, New York Times (March 19, 2001)

*   ALA Lawsuit Poll
The American Civil Liberties Union and American Library Association filed separate suits Tuesday in a federal district court in Philadelphia challenging a new law that requires federally funded schools and libraries to install software that blocks "objectionable" online materials, Excite News (March 19, 2001)

*   Kathleen R. v. City of Livermore
A parent of a child who uses Internet access computers at a public library seeks to compel the library to install blocking software on children's computers within the library; the parent lost in the trial court, appealed, and lost again in the California Court of Appeal, Techlaw Journal (March 6, 2001)

*   Napster to Voluntarily Block Songs
The music file-swapping service announced the blocking plans for specific song titles at a court hearing Friday, where attorneys for the company and record labels presented arguments regarding how to police alleged copyright violations on the service, ZDNet (March 1, 2001)
   *

*   Should the Government Require Filtering?
The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have raised that question regarding the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which became law in December 2000, Consumer Reports (March 1, 2001)

*   Ratings for Filtering Software
These ratings of current blocking software tell you how well the tested products blocked inappropriate content (typically preventing both words and images from appearing onscreen) and did not block legitimate content, and how easy the blocking products were to use, Consumer Reports (March 1, 2001)

*   Digital Chaperones for Kids
The federal government hasn't been effective at restricting children's access to sexually oriented content on-line, so does blocking software at home help, Consumer Reports (March 1, 2001)

*   Chaperoning or Censorship?
Blocking software blocked such sites as: Lesbian.org, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Consumer Reports (March 1, 2001)

*   Two Cheers for Consumer Reports Article on Internet Filtering Products
The Internet Safety Association (ISA), the trade association for the Internet filtering industry, applauds most of the upcoming Consumer Reports article, "Digital Chaperones for Kids," to appear in its March issue, ISA via PR Newswire (February 15, 2001)

*   Groups Ally to Protest Filtering Law
Signers of a statement criticizing Internet blocking as "error-prone, vulnerable, problematic, and unfairly discriminatory" include the ACLU, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the First Amendment Project, NetAction, the Online Policy Group, Peacefire, and People for the American Way, as well as several individuals, including librarians, Library Journal (February 5, 2001)

*   Advocacy Groups Join to Oppose Mandatory Filters
A network of privacy and free-speech organizations and concerned individuals released a joint statement January 23 opposing Internet blocking technologies required by the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) passed by Congress December 21, American Libraries (January 29, 2001)

*   Free-Speech, Privacy Advocates Band Together to Fight New Internet Filtering Law
A coalition of free-speech and privacy organizations this week launched a national campaign designed to warn the public about the inadequacies of a new federal filtering law and to pave the way for a legal challenge against the law on First Amendment grounds, Freedom Forum Online (January 26, 2001)

*   Opposition to Library Filtering Grows
The issue of restricting Internet access to constitutionally protected material in the nation's libraries continued to make headlines last week, American Bookseller Association Industry Newsroom (January 26, 2001)

*   Advocates Protest Mandatory Net Filters
The American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and several other organizations and advocates are fighting a federal law that would require most of the nation's public schools to block depictions of child pornography, obscenity or other material deemed inappropriate for children, CNET News.com (January 24, 2001)

*   Librarians Up-in-Arms
The American Library Association has decided to challenge a controversial Net-filtering law in court, Wired News (January 20, 2001)

*   Free-Speech Advocates Fight Filtering Software in Public Schools
One month after Congress passed a law pressuring public schools and libraries to install blocking or filtering software on computer terminals to screen out Internet smut, three free-speech powerhouses are gearing up to slay the measure in federal court, New York Times (January 19, 2001)

*   Librarians to Sue Over Mandatory Censoring
The American Library Association is planning to sue over the new federal law that is putting Web filters on public school and library computers, Slashdot (January 18, 2001)

*   Filter THIS! Librarians to Sue Over New Law
The American Library Association has decided to file a lawsuit challenging a new federal law that would require filtering in public schools and libraries, ZDNet News (January 17, 2001)

*  
*   Schools' Net Nanny Mines Student Data for Profit
Hillsborough County schools hired a company to keep students away from rough stuff on the Internet...[but the company] provides information about the students to those who can reach the kids on their own, Tampa Tribune (January 14, 2001)

*  
*   Consortium Offers Unfiltered Advice on Filtering Software
The Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse initiative, launched by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), is intended to provide school leaders with general guidelines for evaluating Internet protections, New York Times (December 6, 2000)

*   Copyright Office Issues Unusual Rule
The US Copyright Office said that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, permits people in certain circumstances to break through the technological barriers that safeguard lists of blocked Web sites maintained by many types of blocking technology, New York Times (November 3, 2000)
   *

*   Web Filters Proving Ineffective But Politicians Effectively Milking Them
People are so enamored of the idea behind blocking programs that some members of Congress want to force blocking products into every school and library that receives federally subsidized Internet equipment, Chicago Tribune (October 30, 2000)

*   Programmer Finds Filtering System Too Diligent
As Congress mulls whether smut-blocking software should be installed in all public schools and libraries, a computer programmer on Tuesday published a report alleging that at least one filtering company takes its job too far, CNET News.com (October 24, 2000)

*   N2H2 Dismisses 70 More Employees
N2H2, a Seattle blocking technology company, has laid off 70 employees and a division head resigned amid restructuring plans, the company said yesterday, Seattle Times (October 14, 2000)
   *

*  
*   Profit Short of Forecasts, N2H2 Warns
N2H2, a Seattle company that provides systems to block Internet content, warned yesterday that its profit would fall short of forecasts in the latest quarter due to slowing sales growth, Seattle Times (October 10, 2000)

*   Study: Public Library Net Access Rises; Filtering Up
Summary article about the survey of public library Internet blocking technology use in a report based on research sponsored by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Library Journal (September 25, 2000)
   *

*   BlackPlanet.com Bans Woman With "Unacceptable" Name
BlackPlanet.com, a portal dealing with African-American topics, uses filtering software to prevent registration of names such as Babcock, although Babpenis is permitted, OPG Online Oddities and Atrocities Museum (August 18, 2000)

*   Internet Survey: 16.8% of Public Libraries Use Blocking Technology
Summary article about the survey of public library Internet blocking technology use in a report based on research sponsored by the American Library Association and conducted by the Library Research Center of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois, Library Journal (July 10, 2000)
   *

*  
*   Porn Makes Workplace Hostile, 7 Librarians Say
Seven Minneapolis librarians filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, saying that library patrons viewing pornography on the Net have helped create an "intimidating, hostile and offensive working environment", USA Today (May 8, 2000)

*   Filtering the Web
An Op-Ed piece written by University of Washington professor John E. Bowes on Internet blocking technology, San Jose Mercury News (April 16, 2000)
   *

*  
*   California Internet Survey: 28 Percent of Sample Use Filters
A survey of public libraries in California, conducted to determine compliance with a state law requiring them to have a policy regarding minors' Internet use, suggests that 28 percent are using Internet blocking technology, Library Journal (April 3, 2000)

*   School Officials Defend Website Filtering
As more teachers came forward Wednesday with new accounts of students doing research being blocked from Internet access, New York City school officials Wednesday defended their use of a computer program that filters out sites with references to weapons and breasts, even if the sites were about medieval weapons and breast cancer, New York Times (November 11, 1999)

*   Mainstream Loudoun v. Loudoun County Library
Residents of Loudoun County, Virginia, and website operators and authors whose web pages may have been blocked, asked the federal court to prevent the county public library from using Internet blocking software on public access computers in the library, Tech Law Journal (April 22, 1999)

*   Billing Records Reveal Details of Loudoun Filtering Case
These records detail the claim and provide a rare inside glimpse into the activities and operations of the lawyers, Tech Law Journal (February 10, 1999)

*   Library Filtering Suit Dismissed
In what the ACLU is calling a victory for free speech, a California superior court judge today threw out a lawsuit that called for mandatory filters to be installed on library computers used to surf the Internet, CNET (October 21, 1998)

*   How Well Does Internet Filtering Software Protect Students?
Vocal opponents of censorware see a different picture, one of schools abdicating their supervisory role to software companies that are ill-equipped to discern which sites are educationally appropriate and -- in some cases -- are motivated by conservative agendas to block students from liberal points of view, Electronic School Online (January 1, 1998)

*   When You're Blocked Online, Where Can You Go?
Virginia is bisexual, and her support group at Oasis Magazine is one of the many sites for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals blocked by the software being promoted last week at the heavily publicized Internet/Online Summit: Focus on Children in Washington, American Reporter via oreilly.com (December 9, 1997)

*   Blocked Online? Where Can You Go?
Virginia is bisexual, and her support group at Oasis Magazine is one of the many sites for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals blocked by the software being promoted last week at the heavily publicized Internet/Online Summit: Focus on Children in Washington, American Reporter (December 9, 1997)

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