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A recent Federal Appeals Court has ruled that Bloggers have First Amendment protections much as journalists do when sued for defamation. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on a case coming out of Oregon. While many people felt the law already provided this protection, it was not completely clear. According to a story released by MSN News, standards set in a 1974 Supreme Court case seemed to apply to everyone and not just journalists. This Appellate Court ruling confirms that view.

Although this doesn’t completely settle that area of law, it gives support to Bloggers that their posts will be held to that same general standard. While that is not a license to post defamatory comments or other wrongful conduct, it simply recognizes the equal protection that Bloggers should now enjoy.