IP: a lession in the first amendment

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/11/cyber/education/17education.html

Dispute Over Student Web Site Sparks Lawsuit


Earlier this year, a freshman at a Catholic high school in the suburbs of New York City was expelled because of the 
contents of a personal Web site he created at home. 
Now, the student and his parents have filed a lawsuit against Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia, N.Y., and two 
school officials, saying the school's action violated the boy's free-speech rights. They are asking for at least $1 
million in damages. 
What exactly was on the Web site is a subject of dispute, although both sides agree it was the cause of the expulsion 
and that it included nothing directed at teachers, school officials or students. One thing, however, can be said with 
certainty about the conflict: it is not unique. All over the country, student sites created off-campus are setting off 
disputes between educators and students.