[RawAlex]

Again, the US government and court system seems to think it has control of the internet - nothing could be further from the truth. They pass a spam law, and all the spammers move offshore and seemingly DOUBLE the amount of spam they are sending. COPA is no different, it will just drive things offshore.

I am not sure that a program being in the US would be forbidden from accepting Euro based TGP traffic. I don't see the implication. The paysite is paying for visitors, not for the gallery itself. They are not paying for advertising, they are paying commissions on sales.

I haven't read COPA in a long time, but I didn't see how this could work out properly. Again, US laws written in total ignorance of the world force that the internet has become.

As for filtering, I think you would see ISPs by the boatload complaining and launching lawsuits left and right to stop this type of thing. There is no way they could be capable of blocking "harmful to minors" material without seriously impeding the use of the net by adults. Further, as minors cannot enter into a service agreement for the internet, no ISP (except schools that provide internet access to minors) should be made subject to any attempt to block porn. Adults should be free to roam as they please. Choosing to go (electronically) into a dirty book store in Amsterdam shouldn't be any different in real life or on the net.

I think you will see this one shot down again, on the grounds of being way to over reaching, that it would restrict valid free speech. That 1st amendment thing covers a ton of ground.

I think this was all done to create a new Bush "protect children from the internet initiative" for the campaign trail, where he can say "I will work with the congress, the house, my people, and the best educated legal minds to find a way to stop our children from being blasted by obscene pornographic materials. The Supreme Court has ruled against all attempts so far, but we will succeed because the american people want this!"

Alex