The case is expected to have wide repercussions and implications in the uncharted cyberworld.
Most individuals contribute by pseudonym.
Increasingly, large corporations are suing John Does for posting comments on chat boards critical of company performance and management. These suits are often frivolous and aimed at stifling speech protected under the First Amendment. D.C. He expects this case will highlight the significant privacy issues involving free and anonymous speech on the Internet and help to establish protections for future Internet communications. If people are not assured of anonymity online, it will have a chilling effect on their speech. She points out that other Internet portals, including AOL and Microsoft, contact their subscribers and provide time for response before complying with subpoenas.