Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act: A Survey of the Legal Literature and Reform Proposals

Fordham Law School- Center on Law and Information Policy

Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2046230

75 Pages Posted: 30 Apr 2012

See all articles by Joel R. Reidenberg

Joel R. Reidenberg

Fordham University School of Law

Jamela Debelak

Fordham CLIP

Jordan Kovnot

Fordham CLIP

Tiffany Miao

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal

Date Written: April 25, 2012

Abstract

The goal of this study is to identify the trends in the legal literature and reform proposals surrounding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

This study sets forth a survey and analysis of the legal and policy landscape and seeks to be a comprehensive, objective resource designed to assist scholars and policy-makers in their search for materials addressing the purpose and substance of the statutory provision. The study does not take any position on the wisdom, implementation or evolution of Section 230 nor does it take any position on the merits of the materials presented. The study’s purpose is to report on the body of information and the observable trends addressing Section 230.

As such, the study sets out the history of the passage of Section 230 and then reports on the major cases, legal scholarship and legislative reform proposals addressing Section 230. The study reports on how the statute has been interpreted by the courts and discusses the major trends in the academic literature defending and critiquing Section 230. The study also reports on legislative reform and policy debates that have arisen since the passage of the CDA.

Keywords: CDA, Communications Decency Act, 230, ISP immunity, internet content provider, immunity, Zeran, Blumenthal, roommates.com, cubby, drudge, Accusearch, perfect 10, Stratton Oakmont

JEL Classification: K10, K13, K20, K42, I86

Suggested Citation

Reidenberg, Joel R. and Debelak, Jamela and Kovnot, Jordan and Miao, Tiffany, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act: A Survey of the Legal Literature and Reform Proposals (April 25, 2012). Fordham Law School- Center on Law and Information Policy, Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2046230, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2046230 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2046230

Joel R. Reidenberg (Contact Author)

Fordham University School of Law ( email )

140 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023
United States
212-636-6843 (Phone)
212-930-8833 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.fordham.edu/reidenberg

Jamela Debelak

Fordham CLIP ( email )

140 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023
United States

Jordan Kovnot

Fordham CLIP ( email )

140 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023
United States

Tiffany Miao

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal ( email )

140 West 62th Street
New York, NY 10023
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
818
Abstract Views
4,341
Rank
55,479
PlumX Metrics