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CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - A federal judge has tossed out the state's law barring distribution of sexually explicit pictures to minors over the Internet, saying it violates the First Amendment and Congress' authority over interstate commerce.
U.S. District Judge Patrick Duffy said in his ruling Monday that Internet filters are an equally effective and less restrictive alternative to keep such material from minors.
The challenge was brought by booksellers and publishers, some of whom operate Web sites with material on topics like obstetrics, sexual health, visual art and poetry. They argued the law would prevent adults from access to constitutionally protected material.
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