9th Circuit Court Ruling Could Stifle On-Line Expression/Roommates.com Loses Suit

Internet mudslinging is under attack, according to Patti Waldmeir, the legal columnist in the Financial Times. Citing a recent lawsuit involving Roommates.com, she notes that free expression is hampered by a ruling from the 9th circuit Federal appeals court in California. The court found the site liable for discrimination because the it asked online questions that provoked discriminatory responses (like “no straight roomies” or “no drama”).