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And it's all because Rihanna agreed to it!

Chris Brown appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom today for a progress report in his domestic violence case - stemming from the altercation between him and Rihanna on February 8, 2009 - and the judge reduced the 5-year restraining order that prevents Brown from seeing the "Umbrella" singer.

Per the request made by Rihanna's lawyer Donald Etra, the order has been modified to "level one," which means Brown is allowed to contact Rihanna, but is not allowed to "annoy, molest or harass" her.

Brown and his lawyer Mark Geragos made no comments to reporters after the hearing.

This will certainly make music award shows less awkward, but one has to wonder whether Rihanna truly wants her ex to contact her...