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United States v. American Library Assn March 5, 2003 (02-361) return to case listing Case Summary In 2000, Congress passed the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires public libraries to use anti-pornography filtering software as a condition for receiving government funding and discounts for computer technology. Respondents brought suit in federal court, claiming that the filtering software effectively imposes content-based restrictions and limits access to constitutionally protected speech in violation of the First Amendment. Applying strict scrutiny, the district court found in favor of Respondents, ruling that "the filtering software mandated by CIPA will block access to substantial amounts of constitutionally protected speech whose suppression serves no legitimate government interest." The opinion of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is found at 201 F.Supp.2d 401. To see the opinion of the lower court, click here. PREDICTED OUTCOME ACTUAL OUTCOME Forecasting Model Expert One Expert Two Expert Three 6-3 to Reverse 7-2 to Affirm 5-4 to Affirm n/a 6-3 to Reverse VOTING TO REVERSE Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas Breyer Rehnquist O'Connor Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Thomas Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas Breyer VOTING TO AFFIRM Stevens Souter Ginsburg Stevens Scalia Kennedy Souter Thomas Ginsburg Breyer Stevens Kennedy Souter Ginsburg Breyer Stevens Souter Ginsburg return to case listing