Yahoo! Nazi scandal resurfaces

NEWS A French court has declared its intention to try Yahoo! for its sale of Nazi memorabilia under strict French anti-hate laws. The decision brings new life to a saga that rumbled on between November 2000 and November 2001 when a US judge ruled that Yahoo! was not bound by French law, but rather was answerable to the laws of the US where its operations are based. Yahoo! was originally ordered to block French users accessing the auction sites where buyers could shop for macabre memorabilia as it is against French law to exhibit or sell objects with racist connections. A trial date has not been set, but the court says those parties involved must convene in May to set a date for the hearing to begin. The action is being brought after campaigning by French Jewish groups. However, the case has always drawn criticism from civil liberties groups who are concerned about the effect any ruling will have on freedom of speech.