Google has defended its right to rank web pages in any manner it likes in a groundbreaking court case over its search engine results.
The search giant is being sued in California by a parenting website which claims it lost most of its traffic when its ranking dropped to zero. The site, Kinderstart.com, claims that it was downgraded because it is a competitor to Google. A motion by Google to dismiss the case was heard in California last Friday, where Kinderstart argued that it competed with Google because it also offers a search facility on its site.
Kinderstart claims that its traffic dropped by 70% when its page ranking was set to zero. The site claims that “websites and other users in the public, seeking connections through the search engine, are allegedly restricted in speech, ideas exchange and commerce,” because of Google’s actions, according to a statement from the company’s lawyers, Global Law Group.
Google argued in court that its rankings were opinions and therefore protected by the US constitution’s first amendment, which protects freedom of speech.
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curious to see how this turns out
How is “Kinderstart.com” a competitor to Google? “The site Kinderstart.com claims that it was downgraded because it is a competitor to Google.” I took a look at it and its a “search engine” but its all kid related stuff who cares. How does Google rank other search engines?
well msn Im pretty sure is the result for msn likewise with yahoo and such
How can the company sue the site when they are offering the service through the company this is like target sueing walmart for not advertising their adds.
I think people will sue for ANYTHING no matter how silly these days….the only ones that win are the lawyers! But Come on! A “competitor” to Google? In their DREAMS! I have heard of yahoo and MSN and in the really old days “hotbot” and lycos…..but Kinderstart.com? That must be a freaking joke. I don’t care if they do have a serach engine….I doubt very seriously it could get the results that Google could or even come close. These people sound like a bunch of bitter blowhards.
I had never even HEARD of this site until today they must think highly of themselves to even think they compete with Google. Oh well….I guess we will read about this in the future…. weather or not they are able to pull this off. But I am betting they are not going to get away with it.
*que sitcom laughter*