Courts slam Net porn ban

The US Communications Decency Act looked certain to fail last week as a federal court described bans on Net porn as unconstitutional.

Last June, a Philadelphia judge also described the legislation in the same way, but the Justice Department appealed that decision.

The three judges in a New York court upheld an injunction sought by an online newspaper. The law, which Congress passed earlier this year, means US citizens posting porn on the Web could go to jail for up to two years.

Since the law was passed a coalition to repeal it has gained significant momentum, with even some large US corporations protesting.

It is likely the final decision will rest with the US Supreme Court, but legal experts say it is unlikely the court would overturn two separate decisions.