Number: RS22668
Title: Liability of Interactive Computer Service for Violating the Fair Housing Act
Authors: Henry Cohen, American Law Division 
Abstract: In Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley v. Roommates.com, 489 F.3d 921 (9th Cir. 2007), a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that an interactive computer service may be held liable for violating the Fair Housing Act, notwithstanding a federal statute that provides immunity from all civil liability to interactive computer services in some circumstances. An interactive computer service is defined by 47 U.S.C. § 230(f)(2) as a service that "enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server"; it may include an Internet service provider, such as AOL, or a website that allows others to post messages. On April 3, 2008, the en banc Ninth Circuit (i.e., 11 judges) affirmed the panel's decision.
Pages: 6
Date: April 8, 2008