PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A divided federal appeals court says two Pennsylvania teens cannot be disciplined at school for MySpace parodies of their principals created offsite.
The majority of 3rd U.S. Circuit judges say the postings are protected under previous Supreme Court case law on student speech.
The judges say the parodies were not likely to cause significant disruptions at school.
The rulings Monday involve the Blue Mountain School District in eastern Pennsylvania and the Hermitage School District in western Pennsylvania.
The court heard oral arguments after issuing conflicting rulings in the twin cases. Eight of 14 judges ruled with the majority. In dissent, six judges feared that online attacks on school officials would go unpunished.
The American Civil Liberties Union says school officials infringe on student speech when they reach beyond school grounds.
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