Chat Room Anonymity On Trial

[MSNwar]

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is hearing a case brought by Superior Court Judge Jane Ore Melvin who says she was defamed in a chat room. Lawyers for the Judge are demanding that America Online disclose the identity of the person in the chat room.

The person in the chat room made a statement that the Judge lobbied her governor so a friend of hers could become a judge. In order to prove defamation, her lawyers have to prove that she was harmed.

The ACLU and others say that this Judge's challenge is a threat to free speech. They compare anonymous chat on the Internet to pamphlets published by Thomas Paine before the Revolutionary War. Others say anonymity should not protect "slander."

Full story @ MSNBC News Technology and Science

[speedz]

wtf? all she had to do was leave the chat.

[Doggie]

disturbing and sad