Supreme Court strikes down 'virtual' child pornography ban Posted by Scott Manning on April 16, 2002 | Comments (0)

The Supreme Court struck down a congressional ban on virtual child pornography Tuesday, ruling that the First Amendment protects pornography or other sexual images that only appear to depict real children engaged in sex. The 6-3 ruling is a victory for both pornographers and legitimate artists such as moviemakers, who argued that a broad ban on simulated child sex could make it a crime to depict a sex scene like those in the recent movies “Traffic” or “American Beauty.”

The court said language in a 1996 child pornography law was unconstitutionally vague and far-reaching.Full Story...