Resumen
The article focuses on the Child Online Protection Act (COPA). Last October, a new battlefront opened in the U.S. war between those who see a risk to childhood's innocence and those who see a risk to free speech. The omnibus budget package includes the COPA, a successor to the Communications Decency Act (CDA). After the act was signed, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), last year's victor in the battle over the CDA, filed suit, asking for an injunction against the COPA's enforcement and for its main provision to be declared unconstitutional. Unlike the CDA, the COPA has no special provision for accelerated judicial review. Therefore, the ACLU's challenge will proceed at the court system's usual stately pace. The ultimate resolution by the Supreme Court will not come soon. The main question raised by the COPA concerns its impact on adult-to-adult communication. There is no question that the COPA impairs commercial speakers' ability to cheaply, easily and broadly communicate material to adults that is constitutionally protected as to the adults, though harmful to minors.