Court in Virginia strikes down law  on Obscenity
. A district court in Virginia has issued a temporary stay on the state's attempt to bring laws to protect minors. The judge observed  that the the law would have the effectt of “chilling of speech” which would be “injurious.”

Further, the judge also observed that the law may infringe on the fundamental right to the freedom of speech and affect “Internet speakers anywhere”  simply because a resident of Virginia  managed to stumble upon their Web site.

It may be noted that Indian Cyber Laws expected to become a law soon, also outlaw publishing and distribution of obscene material and reserves very harsh punishments. The Indian laws also specifically state that any person even if he is not a resident  or a citizen of India may be held punishable under the Act. 
The presence of  judges holding a view as above, is an indication that serious conflicts are in store in resolving Cyber crimes which cut across the traditional jurisdictional boundaries. Such differences also highlight the need to treat  "Precedences" from the American courts which are likely to be quoted in   "Domain Name Disputes" "Invasion of Privacy disputes" etc may also have to be taken with a pinch of salt. 

Naavi 

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