Calif. High Court Cold to Liability in Online Speech

During oral arguments Tuesday, the California Supreme Court signaled that it doesn't intend to make untold numbers of Internet users liable for every allegedly defamatory posting on the Web. A state appeals court held that the federal Communications Decency Act didn't immunize a women's health advocate accused of posting an allegedly defamatory opinion piece with two online newsgroups. Dozens of amici curiae -- such as Amazon.com and Earthlink Inc. -- argued that the ruling could chill free speech.

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