Hearing set on Koch lawsuit over Internet hoax

WICHITA, Kan.

A federal judge will hear arguments next month on whether to quash subpoenas filed by Koch Industries seeking the identities of the environmental pranksters behind a media hoax and bogus website.

Wichita-based Koch sued an anonymous group behind a bogus website and fake new release issued in December that falsely announced the company was going to fund more environmentally friendly groups.

A docket notation posted Monday in U.S. District Court for Utah gives notice of an April 28 hearing in Salt Lake City over a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Koch.

The Washington-based Public Citizen Litigation Group contends Koch's trademark infringement lawsuit would have a chilling effect on anonymous Internet communications and First Amendment rights.

The advocacy group represents the anonymous members of Youth for Climate Truth.

=================