ashcroft attorney general american civil liberties union et argued march decided june counsel record petitioner ashcroft theodore olson solicitor general washington dc respondent aclu ann beeson new york ny protect minors exposure sexually explicit materials internet congress enacted child online protection act copa among things imposes fine months prison knowing posting commercial purposes world wide web content harmful minors provides affirmative defense commercial web speakers restrict access prohibited materials requiring use credit card reasonable measures feasible available technology copa enacted response reno american civil liberties union held communications decency act congress first attempt make internet safe minors criminalizing certain internet speech unconstitutional narrowly tailored serve compelling governmental interest less restrictive alternatives available respondents web speakers others concerned protecting freedom speech filed suit preliminary injunction copa enforcement considering testimony presented respondents government district granted preliminary injunction concluding respondents likely prevail argument less restrictive alternatives copa particularly blocking filtering technology third circuit affirmed different grounds reversed ashcroft american civil liberties union remand third circuit affirmed concluding inter alia copa least restrictive means available government serve interest preventing minors using internet gain access harmful materials held third circuit correct affirm district ruling enforcement copa enjoined statute likely violates first amendment pp district abuse discretion entered preliminary injunction standard applies review injunction grant appellate jurisdiction give license depart established review standard walters national assn radiation survivors injunction must upheld case remanded trial merits underlying constitutional question close therefore need consider broader constructions statute adopted appeals district concentrated primarily argument plausible less restrictive alternatives copa see reno promoting development filters industry use parents closest precedent playboy entertainment group like case involved restriction designed protect minors viewing harmful materials concluded absent showing less restrictive technological alternative already available parents effective blanket speech restriction restrictive option preferred congress survive strict scrutiny reasoning playboy entertainment group holdings force precedents compel affirm preliminary injunction otherwise less first amendment commands pp important practical reasons also support letting injunction stand pending full trial merits first potential harms reversal outweigh leaving injunction place mistake extraordinary harm serious chill upon protected speech may result prosecution likely possibility affirmative defense available speakers may rather risk perils trial cf playboy entertainment group supra harm done letting injunction stand pending trial merits contrast extensive second substantial factual disputes remaining case including serious gap evidence filtering software effectiveness allowing preliminary injunction stand remanding trial requires government shoulder full constitutional burden proof respecting less restrictive alternative argument rather excuse third factual record reflect current technological reality serious flaw case involving internet evolves rapid pace reasonable assume technological developments important first amendment analysis occurred five years since district made factfindings affirming preliminary injunction remanding trial allows parties update supplement factual record reflect current technology remand also permit district take account changed legal landscape since made factfindings congress passed least two statutes might qualify less restrictive alternatives copa prohibition misleading domain names statute creating domain pp affirmed remanded kennedy delivered opinion stevens souter thomas ginsburg joined stevens filed concurring opinion ginsburg joined scalia filed dissenting opinion breyer filed dissenting opinion rehnquist joined john ashcroft attorney general petitioner american civil liberties union et al writ certiorari appeals third circuit june justice kennedy delivered opinion case presents challenge statute enacted congress protect minors exposure sexually explicit materials internet child online protection act copa stat codified must decide whether appeals correct affirm ruling district enforcement copa enjoined statute likely violates first amendment enacting copa congress gave consideration earlier decisions subject particular decision reno american civil liberties union reason judiciary must proceed caution care invalidating act ashcroft american civil liberties union ashcroft kennedy concurring judgment imperative according respect congress however permit us depart first amendment principles instead must hold government constitutional burden proof prohibitions enforced severe criminal penalties constant potential repressive force lives thoughts free people guard threat constitution demands restrictions speech presumed invalid paul government bear burden showing constitutionality playboy entertainment group true even congress twice attempted find constitutional means restrict punish speech question case comes certiorari review appeal decision district granting preliminary injunction appeals reviewed decision district abuse discretion standard appeals correct conclude district abuse discretion granting preliminary injunction government failed point rebut plaintiffs contention plausible less restrictive alternatives statute substantial practical considerations furthermore argue favor upholding injunction allowing case proceed trial reasons affirm decision appeals upholding preliminary injunction remand case may returned district trial issues presented copa second attempt congress make internet safe minors criminalizing certain internet speech first attempt communications decency act pub stat supp ii held cda unconstitutional narrowly tailored serve compelling governmental interest less restrictive alternatives available reno supra response decision reno congress passed copa copa imposes criminal penalties fine six months prison knowing posting commercial purposes world wide web content harmful minors material harmful minors defined communication picture image graphic image file article recording writing matter kind obscene average person applying contemporary community standards find taking material whole respect minors designed appeal designed pander prurient interest depicts describes represents manner patently offensive respect minors actual simulated sexual act sexual contact actual simulated normal perverted sexual act lewd exhibition genitals female breast taken whole lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value minors minors defined person years age person acts commercial purposes person engaged business making communications engaged business turn means person makes communication offers make communication means world wide web includes material harmful minors devotes time attention labor activities regular course person trade business objective earning profit result activities although necessary person make profit making offering make communications person sole principal business source income statute labels speech falls within definitions criminal speech also provides affirmative defense employ specified means prevent minors gaining access prohibited materials web site person may escape conviction statute demonstrating restricted access minors material harmful minors requiring use credit card debit account adult access code adult personal identification number accepting digital certificate verifies age reasonable measures feasible available technology since passage copa congress enacted additional laws regulating internet attempt protect minors example enacted prohibition misleading internet domain names supp order prevent web site owners disguising pornographic web sites way likely cause uninterested persons visit see brief petitioner giving example web site also passed statute creating dot kids internet domain content restricted fit minors age supp respondents internet content providers others concerned protecting freedom speech filed suit district eastern district pennsylvania sought preliminary injunction enforcement statute considering testimony witnesses presented respondents government district issued order granting preliminary injunction first noted statute place burden protected speech american civil liberties union reno supp concluded respondents likely prevail argument less restrictive alternatives statute record date apparent petitioner meet burden prove copa least restrictive means available achieve goal restricting access minors harmful material particular noted record reveals blocking filtering technology may least successful copa restricting minors access harmful material online without imposing burden constitutionally protected speech copa imposes adult users web site operators ibid government appealed district decision appeals third circuit appeals affirmed preliminary injunction different ground concluded community standards language copa rendered statute unconstitutionally overbroad granted certiorari reversed holding language standing alone make statute unconstitutionally overbroad ashcroft ii like appellate courts always applied abuse discretion standard review preliminary injunction walters national assn radiation survivors concurring internal quotation marks omitted grant appellate jurisdiction give license depart established standards appellate review ibid underlying constitutional question close therefore uphold injunction remand trial merits applying mode inquiry agree appeals district abuse discretion entering preliminary injunction reasoning support conclusion however based narrower specific grounds rationale appeals adopted appeals opinion affirming decision district construed number terms statute held copa construed unconstitutional none constructions statutory terminology however relied necessary conclusions district instead district concluded statute likely burden speech protected adults petitioner dispute definitional disputes district concluded respondents interpretation unreasonable relied interpretation conclude respondents standing challenge statute petitioner dispute affirm district decision grant preliminary injunction reasons relied district decline consider correctness arguments relied appeals district deciding grant preliminary injunction concentrated primarily argument plausible less restrictive alternatives copa statute effectively suppresses large amount speech adults constitutional right receive address one another unacceptable less restrictive alternatives least effective achieving legitimate purpose statute enacted serve reno plaintiffs challenge speech restriction burden government prove proposed alternatives effective challenged statute considering question assumes certain protected speech may regulated asks least restrictive alternative used achieve goal purpose test consider whether challenged restriction effect achieving congress goal regardless restriction imposes purpose test ensure speech restricted necessary achieve goal important assure legitimate speech chilled punished reason test begin status quo existing regulations ask whether challenged restriction additional ability achieve congress legitimate interest restriction speech justified analysis instead ask whether challenged regulation least restrictive means among available effective alternatives deciding whether grant preliminary injunction stage district must consider whether plaintiffs demonstrated likely prevail merits see doran salem inn also considers whether plaintiff shown irreparable injury see parties case contest correctness district conclusion likelihood irreparable injury established see supp government bears burden proof ultimate question copa constitutionality respondents must deemed likely prevail unless government shown respondents proposed less restrictive alternatives less effective copa applying analysis district concluded respondents likely prevail conclusion abuse discretion record number plausible less restrictive alternatives statute primary alternative considered district blocking filtering software blocking filtering software alternative less restrictive copa addition likely effective means restricting children access materials harmful district granting preliminary injunction primarily plaintiffs proposed filters less restrictive alternative copa government shown likely disprove plaintiffs contention trial ibid filters less restrictive copa impose selective restrictions speech receiving end universal restrictions source filtering regime adults without children may gain access speech right see without identify provide credit card information even adults children may obtain access speech terms simply turning filter home computers promoting use filters condemn criminal category speech potential chilling effect eliminated least much diminished things true moreover regardless broadly narrowly definitions copa construed filters also may well effective copa first filter prevent minors seeing pornography pornography posted web america district noted factfindings one witness estimated content comes overseas copa prevent minors access foreign harmful materials alone makes possible filtering software might effective serving congress goals effectiveness likely diminish even copa upheld providers materials covered statute simply move operations overseas answer say copa reaches amount materials harmful minors question whether reach less restrictive alternatives addition district found verification systems may subject evasion circumvention example minors credit cards see finally filters also may effective applied forms internet communication including communications available via world wide web filtering software may well effective copa confirmed findings commission child online protection commission created congress copa congress directed commission evaluate relative merits different means restricting minors ability gain access harmful materials internet note following unambiguously found filters effective requirements see commission child online protection copa report congress assigning score effectiveness filters filters compared independent verification credit card verification thus government failed carry burden showing district proposed alternative less effective also government commission appointed consider question concluded opposite finding supports conclusion district abuse discretion enjoining statute filtering software course perfect solution problem children gaining access materials may block materials harmful minors fail catch see supp whatever deficiencies filters however government failed introduce specific evidence proving existing technologies less effective restrictions copa district made specific factfinding evidence presented percentage time blocking filtering technology underinclusive ibid absence showing relative effectiveness copa alternatives proposed respondents abuse discretion district grant preliminary injunction government burden merely show proposed less restrictive alternative flaws burden show less effective reno enough government show copa effect respondents bear burden introduce offer introduce evidence proposed alternatives effective government burden show less government failed carry burden abuse discretion district grant preliminary injunction one argument contrary worth mentioning argument filtering software available alternative congress may require used argument carries little weight congress undoubtedly may act encourage use filters held congress give strong incentives schools libraries use american library inc also take steps promote development industry use parents incorrect reason say filters part current regulatory status quo need parental cooperation automatically disqualify proposed less restrictive alternative playboy entertainment group assume plausible less restrictive alternative ineffective presume parents given full information fail act enacting copa congress said goal prevent widespread availability internet providing opportunities minors access materials world wide web manner frustrate parental supervision control congressional findings note following quoting pub tit xiv stat copa presumes parents lack ability monitor children see enacting programs promote use filtering software congress give parents ability without subjecting protected speech severe penalties closest precedent general point decision playboy entertainment group playboy entertainment group like case involved restriction designed protect minors viewing harmful materials choice blanket speech restriction specific technological solution available parents chose implement absent showing proposed less restrictive alternative effective concluded restrictive option preferred congress survive strict scrutiny reversing record silent comparative effectiveness two alternatives instant case government failed show point proposed less restrictive alternative less effective reasoning playboy entertainment group holdings force precedents require us affirm preliminary injunction otherwise less first amendment commands starch constitutional standards sacrificed accommodate enforcement choices government thomas concurring also important practical reasons let injunction stand pending full trial merits first potential harms reversing injunction outweigh leaving place mistake prosecution likely possibility yet affirmative defense available speakers may rather risk perils trial potential extraordinary harm serious chill upon protected speech cf error marking line exacts extraordinary cost harm done letting injunction stand pending trial merits contrast extensive prosecutions yet undertaken law none disrupted injunction stands injunction upheld government interim enforce obscenity laws already books second substantial factual disputes remaining case mentioned serious gap evidence effectiveness filtering software see supra us assume without proof filters less effective copa usurp district factfinding role allowing preliminary injunction stand remanding trial require government shoulder full constitutional burden proof respecting less restrictive alternative argument rather excuse third related point factual record reflect current technological reality serious flaw case involving internet technology internet evolves rapid pace yet factfindings district entered february five years ago since certain facts internet known changed compare supp million internet hosts july internet systems consortium internet domain survey http visited june available clerk case file million hosts reasonable assume technological developments important first amendment analysis also occurred time better filtering alternatives may exist district entered findings indeed know district entered factfindings congressionally appointed commission issued report found filters effective verification screens see supra delay time district makes factfindings time case reaches inevitable necessary consequence discrepancy facts found facts time appellate takes question see benjamin stepping river twice rapidly changing facts appellate process texas rev noting problems presented appellate courts changing facts context cases involving internet giving specific example decision reno mean therefore set insuperable obstacle fair review however usual gap doubled case appeals twice additional two years might make difference affirming preliminary injunction remanding trial allow parties update supplement factual record reflect current technological realities remand also permit district take account changed legal landscape since district made factfindings congress passed least two statutes might qualify less restrictive alternatives copa prohibition misleading domain names statute creating dot kids domain see supra remanding trial allow district take account additional potential alternatives final point important note opinion hold congress incapable enacting regulation internet designed prevent minors gaining access harmful materials parties conclusion appeals statute definitions rendered unconstitutional devote attention question whether evidence might introduced relative restrictiveness effectiveness alternatives statute remand however parties able introduce evidence point opinion foreclose district concluding upon proper showing government meets government constitutional burden defined opinion copa least restrictive alternative available accomplish congress goal record government shown less restrictive alternatives proposed respondents disregarded alternatives indeed may effective provisions copa district abuse discretion entered preliminary injunction judgment appeals affirmed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered john ashcroft attorney general petitioner american civil liberties union et al writ certiorari appeals third circuit june justice stevens justice ginsburg joins concurring first reviewed constitutionality child online protection act copa appeals held statute use contemporary community standards identify materials harmful minors serious likely fatal defect american civil liberties union reno already explained length agree holding see ashcroft american civil liberties union dissenting opinion context internet community standards become sword rather shield prurient appeal offensive puritan village may crime post world wide web continue believe government may penalize speakers making available general world wide web audience least tolerant communities america deem unfit children consumption cf reno american civil liberties union consider principle sufficient basis deciding case copa use community standards statute constitutional defect today decision points another far record reveals encouraging deployment controls filtering software serve congress interest protecting minors sexually explicit internet materials well better attempting regulate vast content world wide web source far less significant cost first amendment values registering agreement analysis wish underscore restrictive copa copa restraint dissemination constitutionally protected speech enforces prohibitions way criminal law threatening noncompliant web speakers fine much term imprisonment long six months offense speakers intentionally violate copa punishable fine day violation ibid implementation various mechanisms described statute provides affirmative defense even full compliance copa guarantee freedom prosecution speakers dutifully place content behind age screens may nevertheless find forced prove lawfulness speech pain criminal conviction cf ashcroft free speech coalition criminal prosecutions view inappropriate means regulate universe materials classified obscene since line communications blurred identify criminal conduct smith stevens dissenting see also marks stevens concurring part dissenting part copa creation new category criminally punishable speech harmful minors compounds problem may justice breyer contends statute coverage extends slightly beyond legally obscene therefore intrudes little realm protected expression post dissenting opinion even justice breyer guidance find impossible identify far past already territory obscenity thinks statute extends attaching criminal sanctions mistaken judgment contours novel nebulous category harmful minors speech clearly imposes heavy burden exercise first amendment freedoms copa criminal penalties moreover strong medicine ill statute seeks remedy sure cases recognized compelling interest protecting minors exposure sexually explicit materials see ginsberg new york parent grandparent endorse goal without reservation judge however must confess growing sense unease interest protecting children prurient materials invoked justification using criminal regulation speech substitute simple backup adult oversight children viewing habits view gravity burdens copa imposes web speech possibility congress might accomplished goal protecting children harmful materials less drastic means matter considered special care observation join opinion john ashcroft attorney general petitioner american civil liberties union et al writ certiorari appeals third circuit june justice scalia dissenting agree justice breyer conclusion child online protection act copa constitutional see post dissenting opinion justice breyer err however subjecting copa strict scrutiny nothing first amendment entitles type material covered copa exacting standard review recognized commercial entities engage sordid business pandering emphasiz ing sexually provocative aspects nonobscene products order catch salaciously disposed engage constitutionally unprotected behavior playboy entertainment group scalia dissenting quoting ginzburg see also los angeles alameda books scalia concurring dallas scalia concurring part dissenting part doubt commercial pornography covered copa fits description statute applies person regular course person trade business objective earning profit knowledge character material communicates material depicts certain specified sexual acts designed appeal designed pander prurient interest since business consistent first amendment banned entirely copa lesser restrictions raise constitutional concern john ashcroft attorney general petitioner american civil liberties union et al writ certiorari appeals third circuit june justice breyer chief justice justice join dissenting child online protection act act seeks protect children exposure commercial pornography placed internet requiring commercial providers place pornographic material behind internet screens readily accessible adults produce age verification recognizes care invalidating act pointing imperative according respect congress permit us depart first amendment principles ante agree generalities like subject act exacting scrutiny turner broadcasting system fcc requiring government show restriction nonobscene expression narrowly drawn compelling interest restriction amounts least restrictive means available interest sable communications fcc see also denver area ed telecommunications consortium fcc nonetheless examination burdens act imposes protected expression act ability compelling interest proposed less restrictive alternatives convinces wrong accept conclusion congress accomplished statutory objective protecting children commercial pornography internet less restrictive ways although rests conclusion upon existence less restrictive alternatives must first examine burdens act imposes upon protected speech term less restrictive alternative comparative term alternative less restrictive work less first amendment harm statute time similarly furthering compelling interest prompted congress enact statute unlike majority see possible make comparative determination without examining extent act regulates protected expression nature burdens imposes expression examination suggests act properly interpreted imposes burden protected speech modest act definitions limit material regulates material enjoy first amendment protection namely legally obscene material little comparison definition unprotected legally obscene material act definitions makes clear material legally obscene average person applying contemporary community standards find work taken whole appeals prurient interest work depicts describes patently offensive way sexual conduct specifically defined applicable state law work taken whole lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value miller california present statute defines material regulates material meets following criteria average person applying contemporary community standards find taking material whole respect minors material designed appeal designed pander prurient interest material depicts describes represents manner patently offensive respect minors actual simulated sexual act sexual contact actual simulated normal perverted sexual act lewd exhibition genitals female breast material taken whole lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value minors emphasis added definitions define relevant material use critical terms prurient interest lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value insofar material appeals panders prurient interest simply seeks sexual response insofar patently offensive material serious value simply seeks response seek educate seek elucidate views sex artistic literary compare erznoznik jacksonville invalidating ordinance regulating nudity films ban confined sexually explicit nudity otherwise limited ginzburg finding unprotected material created represented sold solely claimed instrument sexual stimulation bring miller held first amendment protect material fit definition significant difference present statute miller definition consists addition words respect minors minors addition words definition otherwise cover obscenity expands statute scope slightly material question potentially harmful young children must first appeal prurient interest seek sexual response group adolescents postadolescents since young children normally respond material appeals prurient interest group adolescents postadolescents almost inevitably appeal prurient interest group adults well lack serious value requirement narrows statute yet despite presence qualification minors one easily imagine material serious literary artistic political scientific value significant group adults lacks value significant group minors thus statute read literally insofar extends beyond legally obscene reach borderline cases take words statute literally consistent congress avowed objective enacting law namely putting material produced professional pornographers behind screens verify age viewer see hereinafter bill seeks restrict access commercial pornography web requiring engaged business commercial distribution material harmful minors take certain prescribed steps restrict access material minors pp hereinafter explaining bill aimed sale pornographic materials provides defense commercial purveyors pornography bill seeks regulate limitations statute scope answer many concerns raised attack constitutionality respondents fear prosecution internet posting material fall within ute ambit limited prurient interest serious value requirements example essay young man experience masturbation ual shame serious discussion birth control practices homosexuality consequences prison rape account written therapeutic purposes raped guide testicular cancer graphic illustration use condom postings modern literary artistic works sions sexual identity homosexuality sexually mitted diseases sex education safe sex let alone aldous huxley brave new world salinger catcher rye complaint ken starr report dal see dillard shame lodging reno american civil liberties union brief respondents citing lodging brief american society journalists authors et al amici curiae referring guide medical advice site citing safer sex institute complaint lodging mapplethorpe photograph referring work controversial artist robert mapplethorpe pl exh planetout youth message boards internet discussion board gay teens declaration adam glickman president ceo addazi condomania supp lodging petitioner describing web site used health education declaration roberta spyer president publisher describing web site resource obstetrics gynecology women health issues brief volunteer lawyers arts et al amici curiae listing works literature removed schools complaint lodging materials designed appeal pander prurient interest significant groups minors lacking serious literary artistic political scientific value significant groups minors thus fall outside statute definition material restricts fact government acknowledged oral argument tr oral arg found nothing elsewhere statute language broadens scope qualifying phrases taking material whole commercial purposes limit statute scope still requiring example individual images considered context see roth sum act definitions limit statute scope commercial pornography affects unprotected obscene material given inevitable uncertainty characterize material apply chill production limited class borderline material courts might ultimately find protected examples given fall outside class act censor material covers rather requires providers harmful minors material restrict minors access verifying age inserting screens verify age using credit card adult personal identification number similar technology see way act requires creation internet screen minors adults find difficult bypass recognize screening requirement imposes burden adults seek access regulated material well providers cost part monetary parties agreed web site store card numbers passwords cents per number american civil liberties union reno supp ed verification services provide free verification web site operators charging users less per year according trade association commercial pornographers statute target use verification procedures standard practice online operations see legislative proposals protect children inappropriate materials internet hearing et al house subcommittee telecommunications trade consumer protection house committee commerce prepared statement jeffrey douglas executive director chairman free speech coalition calling proposed mechanisms effective appropriate addition monetary cost despite strict requirements identifying information kept confidential see identification requirements inherent may lead users fear embarrassment see supp monetary costs potential embarrassment deter potential viewers sense statute requirements may restrict access site held context congressional efforts protect children restrictions kind automatically violate constitution approved use see american library plurality opinion constitution guarantee right acquire information public library without risk embarrassment cf reno concurring judgment part dissenting part calling requirement similar bouncer checks person driver license admitting nightclub sum act imposes modest additional burden adult access legally obscene material perhaps imposing similar burden access protected borderline obscene material well ii turn next question compelling interest protecting minors exposure commercial pornography one denies interest compelling see denver area ed telecommunications consortium rather question whether act given restrictions adult access significantly advances interest words game worth candle majority argues existence blocking filtering software ante majority refers presence software less restrictive alternative misnomer misnomer may lead reader believe need look see blocking filtering software less restrictive believe one sense one turn software end constitutional matter reasoning place conceptually speaking presence filtering software alternative legislative approach problem protecting children exposure commercial pornography rather part status quo backdrop congress enacted present statute always true definition status quo less restrictive new regulatory law always less restrictive nothing something nothing address problem congress sought address namely despite availability filtering software children still exposed harmful material internet thus relevant constitutional question question asks less restrictive nothing course rather relevant question posits comparison status quo includes filtering software change status quo adds screen requirement given existence filtering software problem congress identified remain significant act help address questions relation act compelling interest act compared status quo significantly advance ball affirmative answer questions justify ny restriction speech claims ante final answer respect constitutionality must take account burdens alternatives well answers intermediate questions clear filtering software presently available solve child protection problem suffers four serious inadequacies prompted congress pass legislation instead relying voluntary use first filtering faulty allowing pornographic material pass without hindrance last year american library justice stevens described fundamental defects filtering software available available foreseeable future dissenting opinion pointed problem underblocking software relies key words phrases block undesirable sites capacity exclude precisely defined category images ibid say absence words software alone distinguish obscene pictorial image venus de milo member disagreed second filtering software costs money every family necessary install see supp way contrast age screening costs less see supra citing costs cents per password per user identification number third filtering software depends upon parents willing decide children surf web able enforce decision millions american families reasonable possibility million school age children parents sole parent work force least million children left alone home without supervision week many children spend afternoons evenings friends may well access computers lenient parents see playboy entertainment group breyer dissenting fourth software blocking lacks precision result wish use screen pornography find blocks great deal material valuable justice stevens pointed software reliance words identify undesirable sites necessarily results blocking thousands pages contain content completely innocuous adults minors rational person conclude matches filtering companies category definitions pornography sex american library supra internal quotation marks citations omitted indeed american civil liberties union aclu one respondents told congress filtering software block valuable protected information information quaker religion web sites including american association university women aids quilt town hall political site run family resource center christian coalition conservative groups hearing internet indecency senate committee commerce science transportation software simply incapable discerning constitutionally protected unprotected speech inappropriately blocks valuable protected speech effectively block sites intended block citing reports documenting overblocking nothing district record suggests contrary respondent offered produce evidence trial contrary party suggested example technology allowing filters interpret discern among images suddenly become become widely available indeed concedes iltering software course perfect solution problem ante sum filtering software status quo means filtering underblocks imposes cost upon family uses fails screen outside home lacks precision thus congress reasonably conclude system relies entirely upon use software effective system law adds system screen requirement significantly increases system efficacy say modest additional cost adults wish obtain access screened program law bring better precise blocking inside outside home response pornographic material may foreign origin beside point ante citing district findings even assuming believe unrealistically foreign originators refuse use screening act make difference respect internet commercial pornography call difference insignificant upshot congress reasonably conclude despite current availability filtering software child protection problem exists also conclude precisely targeted regulatory statute adding requirement narrow range material effectively shield children commercial pornography justification sufficient lower courts thought courts interpreted act imposing far modest burden assumed interpretation statute reached far beyond legally obscene material affecting material given interpretation set forth fall well outside act scope must interpret act save destroy nlrb jones laughlin steel interpreted see supra act imposes far lesser burden access protected material given modest nature burden likelihood act significantly congress compelling objective act may well satisfy first amendment stringent tests cf sable communications indeed satisfy first amendment unless course genuine alternative less restrictive way similarly objective iii turn actual less restrictive alternatives proposes proposes two real alternatives two potentially less restrictive ways congress might alter status quo order achieve compelling objective first government might act encourage use blocking filtering software ante problem argument rests upon alternative proves much one imagines enough government resources devoted problem perhaps additional scientific advances course use software might become effective less restrictive obviously government give parents schools internet cafes free computers filtering programs already installed hire federal employees train parents teachers use devote millions dollars development better software result might alternative extremely effective constitution require government disprove existence magic solutions solutions put general terms solve problem less restrictively equal effectiveness otherwise undoubted ability lawyers judges constrained budgetary worries practical parameters within congress must operate imagine kind slightly less drastic restrictive approach make impossible write laws deal harm called statute playboy entertainment group concurring opinion perhaps party argued seriously additional expenditure government funds encourage use screening less restrictive alternative second majority suggests decriminalizing statute noting chilling effect criminalizing category speech ante remove major sanction however make statute less effective virtually definition iv conclusion act properly interpreted risks imposition minor burdens protected material burdens adults wishing view material may overcome modest cost time significantly helps achieve compelling congressional goal protecting children exposure commercial pornography serious practically available less restrictive way similarly compelling interest hence act constitutional holding raises two general questions first happened constructive discourse courts legislatures integral admirable part constitutional design blakely washington ante kennedy dissenting eight years legislative effort two statutes three cases sends case back district proceedings proceedings found offer either party present relevant evidence remains litigated know says parties may introduce evidence relative restrictiveness effectiveness alternatives statute ante understand new evidence might consist moreover congress passed current statute response decision reno striking earlier statutory effort deal problem ante congress read reno care dedicated task drafting statute meet every criticism predecessor statute set forth reno incorporated language precedents particularly miller standard virtually verbatim compare created believed statute protect children exposure obscene professional pornography without obstructing adult access material first amendment protects see explaining bill carefully drafted respond decision reno else congress supposed recognize members past taken view first amendment simply permit congress legislate area see ginzburg black dissenting federal government without power whatever constitution put type burden speech expression ideas kind others believe amendment permit congress legislate certain ways imposition criminal penalties obscenity see ante stevens concurring strong constitutional arguments favoring views adopt views instead finds government proved nonexistence less restrictive alternatives finding appropriate universally appropriate universally appropriate denies congress practice legislative leeway language seem promise statute pass less restrictive alternative test nothing say clearly explained believe first amendment permits alternative holding construe statute narrowly tried removing nearly protected material scope reconcile language first amendment demands save statute destroy nlrb process permit congress achieve basic objectives second majority holding practice mean greater lesser protection expression find answer question obvious decision removes important weapon prosecutorial arsenal weapon given government choice choice ban totally nothing act tells government instead prosecuting bans obscenity maximum extent possible respondents urged yet another alternative insist make available material obscene close obscene keep material wraps making readily available adults wish see restricting access children providing third option middle way act avoids need potentially prosecutions matters world obscene nonobscene come tied neatly separate easily distinguishable packages real world middle way might well furthered first amendment interests tempering prosecutorial instinct borderline cases least congress might believed likelihood first amendment perspective might ultimately proved protective rights viewers retain access expression choice available prosecutors wake majority opinion reasons dissent