A Paris court has ordered a team of experts be appointed to examine ways of blocking French internet users from the auction site of U.S. giant Yahoo!

The move arises as a result of a legal battle over who should be held responsible for online racism.

Two Paris-based human rights groups filed an action against Yahoo! for hosting auctions of Nazi objects such as Nazi medallions, swastika-emblazoned battle flags and other Third Reich paraphernalia.

In France is it illegal to sell or exhibit anything inciting racism.

Judge Jean-Jacques Gomez ruled a team of three experts, one French, one American and one European, should study ways to filter French users from the site.

www.yahoo.co.uk