What's Holding Up iMEGA Online Gambling Decision?The online gambling community is growing antsy as a decision by the Honorable Judge Copper in iMEGA vs. The US State Government is now taking over 60 days. Judge Cooper had initially stated that the decision would be made within 30 days, however, draft regulations were agreed upon by both sides entered just two days prior to that 30 day deadline.
Likewise, there has been plenty of activity in the Third District Court of Appeals related to the Internet, more specifically a child protection act that has been challenged on six different occasions. This and other related matters could be burdening that particular court right now.
But there is a more interesting development that could play a key role in the iMEGA lawsuit and ultimate decision.
A Federal Judge in Wisconsin this week rejected a request for 24,000 customer records made by federal prosecutors in Madison, the state capital.
The government's withdrawal came after a judge ruled the customers have a right to keep their reading habits from the government.
US Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker wrote in a June ruling "The subpoena's chilling effect on expressive e-commerce would frost keyboards across America."
Federal prosecutors issued the subpoena last year and were looking for buyers who could be witnesses in the case to convict the city official who was a prolific seller of used books on Amazon.com.
Judge Cooper could be analyzing this decision and its relationship with the online gambling sector. In any event, the delay suggests that Judge Cooper is taking this very seriously.
File Under Online Gambling News
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com
Originally published November 29, 2007 3:35 pm EST
