A National Law Journal article reports that the Chinese government has been hit with a default judgment in a tort case. Through February 16 rulings in federal court in Los Angeles, District Judge Josephine Tucker held that Solid Oak Software Inc. was entitled to a default in a suit alleging governmental theft of software code for use in suppressing Internet access. According to the article by Amanda Bronstad, one of the lawyers for plaintiff is Gregory Fayer of Gipson, Hoffman & Pancione in Los Angeles. Ms. Bronstad also reports that the Chinese government was aware of the suit, but declined to defend, as explained below:
The U.S. Department of State filed proof of service with the Chinese government on Nov. 12. But the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States filed a letter with the court on Nov. 29 claiming it did not have to respond to the lawsuit. "The purpose that the Chinese Government applies and installs the Green Dam Youth Escort software is to use web filter technology to block pornographic texts and images on the internet and to protect minors from internet pornography and other dangers," the embassy wrote. "For the US company to sue China as a State, it is nothing but an uncalled for and unwarranted lawsuit."