Net Regulation in Germany -- Chancellor Helmut Kohl's government in Germany has passed a law regulating the Internet that takes effect on 01-Aug-97. Although the law sets standards for electronic commerce and the use of digital signatures, it is also intended to combat pornography, Nazi propaganda, and other uses of the Internet that are illegal in Germany. Online providers knowingly carrying such illegal content face charges if it's "technically possible and reasonable" to prevent it, even if they have no direct control over provided content, and even if the content originates outside Germany. [MHA]

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