document

Gonzales v. ACLU II: Supreme Court Rejects Internet Censorship Law

Document Date: June 29, 2004

Ashcroft v. ACLU Feature

The Supreme Court struck down the Child Online Protection Act as an unconstitutional government attempt to censor free speech on the Internet.

“The Court ruling demonstrates that there are many less restrictive ways to protect children without sacrificing communication intended for adults,” the ACLU said. “By upholding the order stopping Attorney General Ashcroft from enforcing this questionable federal law, the Court has made it safe for artists, sex educators, and web publishers to communicate with adults about sexuality without risking jail time.”

FEATURES
Online Chat With ACLU Lead Counsel Ann Beeson on the Supreme Court’s decision to Revisit COPA (10/14/2003)

Text of COPA (the law being ruled on by the Supreme Court)

COPA Commission report

1998 Justice Deptartment letter to Congress (expressing concerns about COPA legislation)

ACLU Letter on H.R. 4623, “Child Obscenity and Pornography Prevention Act of 2002”

List of Plaintiffs and their Web Sites

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Supreme Court Briefs

Third Circuit opinion

District court opinion (with findings of fact)

Materials from prior Supreme Court opinion

Materials from prior Third Circuit opinion

PRESS RELEASES
Supreme Court Upholds Block on Internet Censorship Law 6/29/2004

ACLU Returns to Supreme Court in Renewed Challenge to Internet Censorship Law 3/2/04

Read more >>>

ASHCROFT V. ACLU LEGAL TEAM
Ann Beeson, Christopher A. Hansen, and StevenR. Shapiro of the ACLU Foundation

Stefan Presser of the ACLU of Pennsylvania Foundation

David L. Sobel of the Electronic Privacy Information Center

Christopher R. Harris, Michele M. Pyle, and Mark H. Goldberg of Latham & Watkins

Lee Tien of the Electronic Frontier Foundation

Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.