NJ Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi (District 16-R) has introduced a bill (assembly - 1327) that would require all online services that allow messages to be published publically to register the legal name and address of all users of said services.  It would also allow for defamation charges to be filed in superior court for any unflattering comments made.  This could greatly impact the way we use the internet today and would be a reversal of how libel law is applied to the internet in the courts.  This is a bad bill.  If there is anything we need in this state, it is the right to freely criticize politicians.

The full text can be seen here.  Or click "read more" to see the summary of the bill.

Assembly No. 1327 

This bill would require an operator of any interactive computer service or an Internet service provider¹ to establish, maintain and enforce a policy requiring an information content provider² who posts messages on a public forum website either to be identified by legal name and address or to register a legal name and address with the operator or provider prior to posting messages on a public forum website.

The bill requires an operator³ of an interactive computer service⁴ or an Internet service provider to establish and maintain reasonable procedures to enable any person to request and obtain disclosure of the legal name and address of an information content provider who posts false or defamatory information about the person on a public forum website.

In addition, the bill makes any operator or Internet service provider liable for compensatory and punitive damages as well as costs of a law suit filed by a person damaged by the posting of such messages if the operator or Internet service provider fails to establish, maintain and enforce the policy required by section 2 of the bill.

 ¹ "Internet service provider" or "provider" means any person, business or organization qualified to do business in this State that provides individuals, corporations, or other entities with the ability to connect to the Internet through equipment that is located in this State.

² "Information content provider" means any person or entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the creation or development of information provided through the Internet or any other interactive computer service.

³"Operator" means any person, business or organization qualified to do business in this State that operates an interactive computer service.

⁴"Interactive computer service" means any information system, service, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides service to the Internet.