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."