U.S. District Court in Mississippi Expounds on Pro-Google Ruling

A U.S. District Court in Jackson, Mississippi, reaffirmed granting Google a preliminary injunction against Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and denied his motion to dismiss the case (see 1503020060), said court documents. Google’s submitted evidence purported to show Hood’s “dissatisfaction with Google’s posting of certain content he finds objectionable, namely advertisements and videos originating from third parties” before the case, said Judge Henry Wingate. Hood publicized “inflammatory statements” against Google, he said. “Google claims that it responded to the Attorney General’s concerns by voluntarily making requested changes, on several occasions, but declining to accommodate the Attorney General’s expressed wishes on others, citing its right to free speech under the First Amendment.” Hood’s 79-page subpoena against Google soon followed (see 1412190045), he said. Google’s argument “has a home in federal court,” said Wingate. "Google is not required to expose itself to civil or criminal liability before bringing a declaratory action to establish its rights under federal law, particularly where the exercise of those rights have been threatened or violated.” Hood didn’t comment. He said after the initial ruling earlier this month that Friday’s order doesn’t “indicate how the court will ultimately rule on the merits of the case.” The docket is number 3:14-cv-00981.