Soon, you may no longer be able to post anonymously on DU. [View All]

Or anywhere on the internets.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.blogger02nov02,1,7358590.story

A Maryland appeals court will hear arguments today in a case that could help determine whether someone who makes an anonymous -- and disparaging -- Internet posting in chat rooms or on message boards could be unmasked.

A decision could add to an emerging body of law shaping free-speech boundaries in the Internet age, when people using screen names as aliases regularly gripe online about politicians, employers and investments.

Advertisement
The area is of great concern on Wall Street, where online postings have affected stock prices and tarnished corporate reputations.

The case stems from efforts by an Arizona drug company to obtain the names of subscribers to a financial newsletter based in Rockville, in hopes that those people might lead to others who allegedly defamed the company online.