AT&T whines about Calif. net neutrality law as ISPs’ case appears doomed

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | naruecha jenthaisong)

The broadband industry's attempt to kill California's net neutrality law appears to have very little chance of succeeding in the US district court where the case is being heard.

On February 23, the industry's motion for a preliminary injunction was denied by Judge John Mendez of US District Court for the Eastern District of California, as we reported at the time. We didn't have much detail on Mendez's reasoning last month, but we've since obtained a not-yet-publicly released transcript of the hearing in which he issued his verbal ruling against the injunction. (He did not issue a written ruling, citing time constraints caused by a shortage of judges in his district.)

Mendez's denial of the injunction means that California can enforce its net neutrality law while the case continues, leaving open the possibility that Mendez could ultimately side with the broadband industry. But Mendez explained during the hearing why he thinks the industry is unlikely to succeed at trial.

Read 25 remaining paragraphs | Comments