The case against AOL was brought by electronics company Nam Tai
Electronics in 2001. The company alleged that 51 unidentified
individuals, including an AOL client, posted "false, defamatory and
otherwise unlawful" messages on an internet message board,
allegedly in violation of California's unfair business practices
statute.
A California court issued a subpoena ordering AOL to disclose
the details of its accused subscriber, but the ISP refused, arguing
that the disclosure would be contrary to the First Amendment right
to speak anonymously.
According to Reuters, however, the Virginia Supreme Court
rejected AOL's motion and sided with the lower court's decision.
AOL has 10 days to ask the court to reconsider its decision. If the
Virginia Court still rules against AOL, the ISP has the right to
appeal to the US Supreme Court.
