Google India says it has no control over blog content

MUMBAI: Google India said on Monday that it will not be able to control the publication of content on its blogging website. The company has moved the Bombay High Court over an order restraining the website from allowing the publication of defamatory blogs.

Google India���s lawyer Srikant Doijode said that it had no control over the blogging site and the same was managed by Google Inc, USA. Even if there was an order restraining such blogs, it could not do anything, Google India submitted in court.

���The blogger service is provided by Google Inc. We (Google India) are not a party to the agreement between Google Inc and those who use the blog... We have no liability or responsibility for the content of the blog,��� the company argued.

Earlier, city-based cardiologist Dr Ashwin Mehta had approached the court after finding that over 20 blogs on the website were defaming him.

A single judge of the high court had ordered Google to remove those blogs and prevent such incidents in the future.

���Google only provides a platform,��� argued Google India���s counsel, adding that on account of the earlier order, it (Google) will be held in contempt if there was any fresh offensive blog about Dr Mehta. Mr Doijode pointed out that if the content was defamatory and the court wanted its removal from the website, the same could be done.

Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and justice SC Dharmadhikari have posted the case for final hearing on July 7.