flightbaiduspider

UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURTSOUTHERNDISTRICTOFNEWYORKXJIANZHANG,GUANGYANG,WAXUE,TIANCHENGWANGLIQUNCHEN,SHENQIFU,SHUYUANSONG,YUHONGZHANG,Plaintiffs,-against-BAIDU.
COMINC.
,PEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINA,Defendants.
XPRELIMINARYSTATEMENT1.
ThisisacivilactioninwhichthePlaintiffs,JIANZHANG,GUANGYANG,WAXUE,TIANCHENGWANG,LIQUNCHEN,SHENQIFU,SHUYUANSONG,YUHONGZHANGareresidentsoftheStateofNewYork,seekreliefforviolationsoftheUnitesStatesConstitutionandTitle42§§1981,1983,1985asaresultofDefendants'systematicviolationoftheconstitutionalrightsofPlaintiffs,andtheDefendants'systematicconspiracytoviolatetheU.
S.
ConstitutionalrightsofthePlaintiffs,theDefendants'systematicviolationofPlaintiffs'NewYorkStateConstitutionalrightsandtheDefendants'violationofPlaintiffs'rightsunderNewYorkStateHumanRightsLaw,NewYorkCivilRightsLawandNewYorkStateExecutiveLaw.
2.
ThePlaintiffsseekdames,bothcompensatoryandpunitive,affirmativeandequitablereliefinexcessof$75,000,anawardofcostsandattorneysfeesandsuchotherandfurtherreliefasthisCourtdeemsjustandequitable.
COMPLAINTPlaintiffsRequestJuryTrialPPLZhangetalv.
Baidu.
ComInc.
etalDoc.
1Dockets.
Justia.
comJURISDICTION3.
JurisdictionisconferreduponthisCourtby28U.
S.
C.
§§1331,1332,1343(a),thisbeinganactionseekingredressforviolationofthePlaintiff'sconstitutionalandcivilrightsunderU.
S.
LawandunderthelawsoftheStateofNewYork.
TheNewYorkCityandNewYorkStateclaimsareproperlybeforethisCourtundertheCourt'ssupplementaljurisdiction.
28U.
S.
C.
§1367.
4.
Plaintiff'sclaimfordeclaratoryandinjunctivereliefisauthorizedby28U.
S.
C.
§2201and2202andRule57oftheFederalRulesofCivilProcedure.
5.
ThePlaintiffdemandsatrialbyjuryoneachandeveryoneofhisclaimsaspledherein.
VENUE6.
VenueisproperfortheUnitedStatesDistrictCourtfortheSouthernDistrictofNewYorkpursuantto28U.
S.
C.
§§1391(a),(b)and(c).
PARTIES7.
ThePlaintiffsareallresidentsoftheStateofNewYorkandarepromotersofdemocracyinChinathroughtheirwritings,publicationsandreportingofpro-democracyevents.
JIANZHANGisaresidentof7HeatherHillRoadinGlenHead,NewYork,GUANGYANGisaresidentof7HeatherHillRoadinGlenHead,NewYork,WAXUEisaresidentof7HeatherHillRoadinGlenHead,NewYork,,LIQUNCHENresidesat41-5871stStreetWoodside,NewYork,SHENQIFUresidesat84-2757thRoadElmhurst,NewYork,SHUYUANSONGresidesat59-2969thAvenueFlushing,NewYork,YUHONGZHANGresidesat144-1635thAvenueFlushing,NewYorkandTIANCHENGWANGresidesat161-1865thAvenueFreshMeadows,NewYork.
8.
TheDefendantisaninternetweb-basedsearchengine.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
,isincorporatedintheCaymanIslandsandlistedontheNASDAQasapubliclytradedentityhereintheUnitedStates.
DefendantBAIDU.
COMINC.
providesservicestolocateinformation,productsandservicesontheWorldWideWebusingChinese-languagesearchterms.
Theuser-agentstringofBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchengineisbaiduspider.
Webuseragentsrangefromwebbrowserstosearchenginecrawlers(spiders),whichareapplicationsthataccesstheWorldWideWeb.
9.
TheDefendantPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINA,locatedinAsia,isacommunist/authoritarianstateruledbytheCommunistPartyofChinathatseverelyrestrictsthefreedomofpress,freedomofpoliticalspeech,freedomofinternet,freedomofreproductiverights,andthefreedomofreligion.
TheDefendantPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAopenlyandroutinelyusescensorshipofpoliticalspeechandinformationontheinternettosilencecriticismofthegovernmentinChinaandtherulingChineseCommunistParty.
STATEMENTOFFACTS10.
ThePlaintiffsinthiscasearevarioussupportersofthedemocracymovementinChina.
AlthoughtheyareallresidentsoftheUnitesStates,NewYork,theyaresupportersofthedemocracymovementinThePeople'sRepublicofChinathroughtheirvariouspublications,writingsandcoverageofpro-democracyeventsinthemedia.
11.
EachnamedplaintiffhasbeenaggrievedbythecensorshippoliciesofBAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINA,inthattheirwritings,publicationsandcoverageofpro-democracyeventshasbeencensoredandbannedfromanysearchperformedontheBAIDU.
COMINC.
searchengineanddonotappearinanysearchresultsperformedonthewebbasedsearchengineasadirectresultoftheconspiracybetweenBAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAtocensureanypoliticalspeechthatispro-democracyandspecificallythatpro-democracypoliticalspeechofeachofthePlaintiffsinthiscase.
12.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
isawebservicescompanythatoffersChinesesearchengineforwebsites,audiofiles,andimages;itownsandoperatesasearchenginecalledBaidu.
com.
13.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
,offersmultipleservicestolocateinformation,productsandservicesusingChinese-languagesearchterms,suchas,searchbyChinesephonetics,advancedsearch,snapshots,spellchecker,stockquotes,news,images,video,weather,trainandflightschedulesandotherlocalinformation.
14.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
,proactivelycensorsitscontenthereintheUnitedStatesincooperationwithandaccordingtothepoliciesandregulationsofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINA.
15.
WhenusingthesearchengineownedbyBAIDU.
COMINC.
noresultsarereturnedforanypro-democracymovementarticles,publicationsoranytypeofmultimediacoveragebyPlaintiffsinthiscase.
16.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
,inconjunctionwithandasagentandenforcerofthepoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINA,purposelydesignsitssystemsandsearchenginestoexcludeanypro-democracytopics,articles,publicationsandmultimediacoveragebyPlaintiffsthatarepresentontheWorldWideWeb.
17.
AwebsearchengineisdesignedtosearchforinformationoftheWorldWideWebandFTPservers.
Thesearchresultsaregenerallypresentedinalistofresultsandareoftencalledhits.
Theinformationmayconsistofwebpages,images,informationandothertypesoffiles.
18.
Somesearchenginesalsominedataavailableindatabasesoropendirectories.
Unlikewebdirectories,whicharemaintainedbyhumaneditors,searchenginesoperatealgorithmicallyorareamixtureofalgorithmicandhumaninput.
19.
Whilethereisnogenerallyacceptedformaldefinitionof"algorithm,"aninformaldefinitioncouldbe"asetofrulesthatpreciselydefinesasequenceofoperations.
20.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
,inconjunctionwithandasagentandenforcerofthepoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINA,purposelydesignsitssearchenginealgorithmstoexcludeanypro-democracytopics,articles,publicationsandmultimediacoveragebyPlaintiffsthatarepresentontheWorldWideWeb.
IndividualClaimsofthePlaintiffs:BaiduandBaidu.
comBlocksPublicationsAndVideosAndAnyContentDealingWithTheChineseDemocracyMovementFromAppearingInItsSearchEngineResults.
21.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAhaveconsistentlyandsystematicallycooperatedwitheachotherandconspiredtoviolatetherightsofPlaintiffsundertheUnitesStatesConstitution,Title42§§1981,1983,1985undertheNewYorkStateConstitutionandunderNewYorkStateHumanRightsLaw,NewYorkCivilRightsLaw,NewYorkStateExecutiveLawandtheNewYorkStateConstitution.
22.
Defendantscensorandblockfromsearchengineresultsanyarticle,publication,video,audioandanyinformationinwhateverformatifitscontentdealswiththeDemocracymovementinChinaoranyofthefollowingtopicsthatarerelatedtotheChineseDemocracymovement:TheJune4thMovement,TheJasmineRevolution,TheJasmineMovement;TheChinaDemocracyPartyNationalCommitteeandtheTiananmenSquareIncidentormovement.
23.
Eachofthesewords,phrases,articlesandpublicationsofanykindaresystematicallyblockedbyBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAfromitssearchengineresultsbecauseofthecontentandissuesthatitraisesdealingwiththedemocracymovementinChina.
24.
Plaintiff,TianchengWanghaspublishednumerousarticles,audioandvideoprograms,allofwhichareavailabletothepublicontheinternetviaanyofthewellknownsearchenginessuchasGoogle,YahooandBing.
25.
However,sinceDecember2,2010tothepresent,Mr.
WanghaspublishedaseriesofarticlesdealingwiththedemocracymovementinChina,entitled"GreatChange:ResearchStructureofthestrategyforChina'sDemocratization";thesearticlesappearedinTheChinaHumanRightsBiweekly.
26.
Allofthesearticles,andMr.
Wang'spreviousarticles,havebeenbannedandcensoredfromthesearchengineresultsofBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAbecauseofthetopicthattheydealwith–democracyinChina.
27.
JianZhangwritesarticlesabouttheChinesedemocracymovementsandcoversvariouseventsthatdealwiththedemocracymovementinChina;hisarticles,publicationsandvideoareavailablethroughouttheinternetandonallinternetsearchenginesacrosstheWorldWideWeb.
28.
However,noneofhisarticlesareavailableonBAIDU.
COMINC.
asBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAhascensoredandblockedtheappearanceofanyofhisarticlesfromtheirsearchresultsduetotheircontent;eachofthepublicationsandvideoandaudiofilesdealswiththeChinesedemocracymovement.
29.
LiqunChenpublishesarticlesandcoverseventsthatdealwiththeChinesedemocraticmovement.
30.
Chen'spublicationscanbefoundthroughouttheinternet,butnotonBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchengine.
31.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensorstheinformationbasedonitscontentandblocksanyofChen'spublicationsfromtheresultsoftheirsearchenginebecauseofthecontent,i.
e.
theChinesedemocracymovement.
32.
ShenqiFuhaspublishedarticlesandcreatedvideoprogramsdealingwiththeChineseDemocracymovement,allofwhichareavailableontheinternetatvarioussearchengines.
33.
However,noneofherpublicationsorvideosareavailableonBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebecauseBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAsystematicallycensorsandexcludesthemfromthesearchengineresultsbecauseofthecontentoftheirmessagei.
e.
pro-democracyinChina.
34.
Baidudeliberatelycensorsherpublicationsandvideosandblocksthembecauseoftheircontenti.
e.
theChineseDemocracymovement.
35.
ShuyuanSonghaspublishedarticlesandcreatedvideoprogramsdealingwiththeChinesedemocracymovement.
36.
Allofhispublications,articlesandvideosdealingwiththeChineseDemocracymovementareavailableontheinternet.
37.
However,noneofthemareavailableonBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebecauseBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensorsandblocksSong'spublicationsandvideosbasedontheircontentanddoesnotallowthemaspartofthesearchresults.
38.
YuhongZhangpublishesarticlesandcreatesvideosdealingwiththeChineseDemocracymovement.
39.
HerarticlesarewidelypublishedthroughouttheinternetandYuhong'svideoscanbefoundonYouTubeaswellasothersitesontheinternet.
40.
However,noneofhispublicationsorvideoscanbefoundinthesearchresultsofBAIDU.
COMINC.
.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAspecificallycensorsandblocksYuhong'spublicationsandvideosfromtheirsearchresultsbasedontheircontent,i.
e.
theChineseDemocracymovement.
41.
WaXueparticipatesinthecreationofvideoprogramsdealingwiththeChineseDemocracymovements.
42.
ThevideosarewidelyavailableontheWorldWideWebforviewing.
43.
However,noneofthevideosareavailableonBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebecauseBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensorsthesevideosandblocksthemfromtheBaidu.
comsearchengineresultsbecauseoftheircontent.
44.
NoneofXue'svideoscanbefoundonBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchengineresultsspecificallybecauseoftheircontent,i.
e.
theChineseDemocracymovement.
45.
GuangYangpublishesvariousarticlesandcreatesvideosdealingwiththeChineseDemocracymovement.
46.
HispublicationsandvideosarewidelyavailableontheWorldWideWeb.
47.
However,Yang'spublicationsandvideosarenotavailableonBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebecauseBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensoresandblocksthemfromcomingupinBaidu'ssearchengineresultsspecificallybecauseoftheircontent,i.
e.
theChineseDemocracymovement.
FIRSTCAUSEOFACTION48.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
49.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolated42U.
S.
C.
§1985(3)ConspiracytointerferewithcivilrightswhenDefendantsconsistentlyandsystematicallyconspiredtocensorandblockthepublications,articlesandothermaterialsfromappearinginthesearchresultsofBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebasedpurelyonthecontentofthosearticlesi.
e.
thepro-democracycontentinviolationofPlaintiffs'rightstoFreedomofSpeechundertheFirstAmendmentoftheU.
S.
Constitution.
50.
42U.
S.
C.
§1985(3)provides:DeprivingpersonsofrightsorprivilegesIftwoormorepersonsinanyStateorTerritoryconspireorgoindisguiseonthehighwayoronthepremisesofanother,forthepurposeofdepriving,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,anypersonorclassofpersonsoftheequalprotectionofthelaws,orofequalprivilegesandimmunitiesunderthelaws;orforthepurposeofpreventingorhinderingtheconstitutedauthoritiesofanyStateorTerritoryfromgivingorsecuringtoallpersonswithinsuchStateorTerritorytheequalprotectionofthelaws;oriftwoormorepersonsconspiretopreventbyforce,intimidation,orthreat,anycitizenwhoislawfullyentitledtovote,fromgivinghissupportoradvocacyinalegalmanner,towardorinfavoroftheelectionofanylawfullyqualifiedpersonasanelectorforPresidentorVicePresident,orasaMemberofCongressoftheUnitedStates;ortoinjureanycitizeninpersonorpropertyonaccountofsuchsupportoradvocacy;inanycaseofconspiracysetforthinthissection,ifoneormorepersonsengagedthereindo,orcausetobedone,anyactinfurtheranceoftheobjectofsuchconspiracy,wherebyanotherisinjuredinhispersonorproperty,ordeprivedofhavingandexercisinganyrightorprivilegeofacitizenoftheUnitedStates,thepartysoinjuredordeprivedmayhaveanactionfortherecoveryofdamagesoccasionedbysuchinjuryordeprivation,againstanyoneormoreoftheconspirators.
42ThePublicHealthandWelfare§1985(3).
SECONDCAUSEOFACTION51.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
52.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolated42U.
S.
C.
S.
§1981whentheyconsistentlyandsystematicallydeniedandinterferedwithPlaintiffsequalrightsunderthelawwhentheycensoredandblockedthepublications,articlesandothermaterialsofPlaintiffsfromappearinginthesearchresultsofBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebasedpurelyonthecontentofthosearticlesinviolationofPlaintiffs'righttoFreedomofSpeechundertheFirstAmendmentoftheUnitedStatesConstitution.
53.
Title42U.
S.
C§1981provides:(a)StatementofequalrightsAllpersonswithinthejurisdictionoftheUnitedStatesshallhavethesamerightineveryStateandTerritorytomakeandenforcecontracts,tosue,beparties,giveevidence,andtothefullandequalbenefitofalllawsandproceedingsforthesecurityofpersonsandpropertyasisenjoyedbywhitecitizens,andshallbesubjecttolikepunishment,pains,penalties,taxes,licenses,andexactionsofeverykind,andtonoother.
(b)"Makeandenforcecontracts"definedForpurposesofthissection,theterm"makeandenforcecontracts"includesthemaking,performance,modification,andterminationofcontracts,andtheenjoymentofallbenefits,privileges,terms,andconditionsofthecontractualrelationship.
(c)ProtectionagainstimpairmentTherightsprotectedbythissectionareprotectedagainstimpairmentbynongovernmentaldiscriminationandimpairmentundercolorofStatelaw.
Title42ThePublicHealthandWelfare§1981.
THIRDCAUSEOFACTION54.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
55.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolated42U.
S.
C.
S.
§1983Conspiracytointerferewithcivilrightswhenitcensoredandblockedthepublications,articlesandothermaterialsfromappearinginthesearchresultsofBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchenginebasedpurelyonthecontentofthosearticlesinviolationoftheFirstAmendment'sFreedomofSpeechClauseoftheU.
S.
Constitution.
56.
42U.
S.
C.
§1983provides:Everypersonwho,undercolorofanystatute,ordinance,regulation,custom,orusage,ofanyStateorTerritoryortheDistrictofColumbia,subjects,orcausestobesubjected,anycitizenoftheUnitedStatesorotherpersonwithinthejurisdictionthereoftothedeprivationofanyrights,privileges,orimmunitiessecuredbytheConstitutionandlaws,shallbeliabletothepartyinjuredinanactionatlaw,suitinequity,orotherproperproceedingforredress,exceptthatinanyactionbroughtagainstajudicialofficerforanactoromissiontakeninsuchofficer'sjudicialcapacity,injunctivereliefshallnotbegrantedunlessadeclaratorydecreewasviolatedordeclaratoryreliefwasunavailable.
Forthepurposesofthissection,anyActofCongressapplicableexclusivelytotheDistrictofColumbiashallbeconsideredtobeastatuteoftheDistrictofColumbia.
42U.
S.
C.
§1983.
FOURTHCAUSEOFACTION57.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
58.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolatedNewYorkCivilRightsLaw§40EqualRightsInPlacesOfPublicAccommodation,whentheydeniedPlaintiffsfullandequalaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesofaplaceofpublicaccommodationwhenDefendantsdirectlyandindirectly,purposelyandconsistently,refusedandwithheldfromanddeniedPlaintiffsaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesbycensoringandblockingthePlaintiffs'articles,publicationsandothermultimediacoveragedealingwithpro-democracyeventsfromBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchengineresultsandthatsuchwasdeniedPlaintiffsbecauseoftheircreed(i.
e.
Plaintiffs'politicalbeliefindemocracyandthedemocraticprocessforthecitizensofChinaandPlaintiffs'politicalspeechdealingwithpro-democracy).
59.
NewYorkCivilRightsLaw§40provides:Allpersonswithinthejurisdictionofthisstateshallbeentitledtothefullandequalaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesofanyplacesofpublicaccommodations,resortoramusement,subjectonlytotheconditionsandlimitationsestablishedbylawandapplicablealiketoallpersons.
Noperson,beingtheowner,lessee,proprietor,manager,superintendent,agentoremployeeofanysuchplaceshalldirectlyorindirectlyrefuse,withholdfromordenytoanypersonanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesorprivilegesthereof,ordirectlyorindirectlypublish,circulate,issue,display,postormailanywrittenorprintedcommunication,noticeoradvertisement,totheeffectthatanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesofanysuchplaceshallberefused,withheldfromordeniedtoanypersononaccountofrace,creed,colorornationalorigin,orthatthepatronageorcustomthereat,ofanypersonbelongingtoorpurportingtobeofanyparticularrace,creed,colorornationaloriginisunwelcome,objectionableornotacceptable,desiredorsolicited.
NYSCivilRightsLaw§40.
FIFTHCAUSEOFACTION60.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
61.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolatedNewYorkCivilRightsLaw§40-cwhentheydeniedPlaintiffsfullandequalaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesofaplaceofpublicaccommodationwhenDefendantsdirectlyandindirectly,purposelyandconsistently,refusedandwithheldfromanddeniedPlaintiffsaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesbycensoringandblockingthePlaintiffs'articles,publicationsandothermultimediacoveragedealingwithpro-democracyeventsfromBAIDU.
COMINC.
'ssearchengineresultsandthatsuchwasdeniedPlaintiffsbecauseoftheircreed(i.
e.
Plaintiffs'politicalbeliefindemocracyandthedemocraticprocessforthecitizensofChinaandPlaintiffs'politicalspeechdealingwithpro-democracy).
62.
NewYorkCivilRightsLaw§40-cprovides:1.
Allpersonswithinthejurisdictionofthisstateshallbeentitledtotheequalprotectionofthelawsofthisstateoranysubdivisionthereof.
2.
Nopersonshall,becauseofrace,creed,color,nationalorigin,sex,maritalstatus,sexualorientationordisability,assuchtermisdefinedinsectiontwohundredninety-twooftheexecutivelaw,besubjectedtoanydiscriminationinhisorhercivilrights,ortoanyharassment,asdefinedinsection240.
25ofthepenallaw,intheexercisethereof,byanyotherpersonorbyanyfirm,corporationorinstitution,orbythestateoranyagencyorsubdivisionofthestate.
NYSCivilRightsLaw§40-c.
SIXTHCAUSEOFACTION63.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolatedNewYorkHumanRightsLawExecutiveLaw§296(2)whenDefendantsinanunlawfuldiscriminatorypracticeasownerofaplaceofpublicaccommodationunlawfullydiscriminatedagainstPlaintiffsanddiddirectlyandpurposelyrefuse,withholdfromanddenytoPlaintiffsanaccommodation,advantage,facilityorprivilegeofaplaceofpublicaccommodationwhenBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensoredandblockedfromitssearchengineresultsthewritings,publicationsandmultimediacoveragedealingwithpro-democracyeventsbecauseofPlaintiffs'creedi.
e.
beliefindemocracyandthedemocraticprocessforthecitizensofChinaandPlaintiffs'politicalspeechdealingwithpro-democracy.
64.
NewYorkHumanRightsLawprovides:2(a)Itshallbeanunlawfuldiscriminatorypracticeforanyperson,beingtheowner,lessee,proprietor,manager,superintendent,agentoremployeeofanyplaceofpublicaccommodation,resortoramusement,becauseofthe…creed…ofanyperson,directlyorindirectly,torefuse,withholdfromordenytosuchpersonanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesorprivilegesthereof,includingtheextensionofcredit,or,directlyorindirectly,topublish,circulate,issue,display,postormailanywrittenorprintedcommunication,noticeoradvertisement,totheeffectthatanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesofanysuchplaceshallberefused,withheldfromordeniedtoanypersononaccountof…creed…orthatthepatronageorcustomthereatofanypersonoforpurportingtobeofanyparticular…creed…isunwelcome,objectionableornotacceptable,desiredorsolicited.
NYSExecutiveLaw§296(2)(a)SEVENTHCAUSEOFACTION65.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
66.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolatedNewYorkCityHumanRightsLawNYCAdmin.
Code§8-107(4)(a)whenDefendantsinanunlawfuldiscriminatorypracticeasownerofaplaceofpublicaccommodationunlawfullydiscriminatedagainstPlaintiffsanddiddirectlyandpurposelyrefuse,withholdfromanddenytoPlaintiffsanaccommodation,advantage,facilityorprivilegeofaplaceofpublicaccommodationwhenBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensoredandblockedfromitssearchengineresultsthewritings,publicationsandmultimediacoveragedealingwithpro-democracyeventsbecauseofPlaintiffs'creedi.
e.
beliefindemocracyandthedemocraticprocessforthecitizensofChinaandPlaintiffs'politicalspeechdealingwithpro-democracy.
67.
TheNewYorkCityHumanRightsLawprovides:(a)Itshallbeanunlawfuldiscriminatorypracticeforanperson,beingtheowner,lessee,proprietor,manager,superintendent,agentoremployeeofanyplaceofproviderofpublicaccommodationbecauseoftheactualorperceived…creed…ofanypersondirectlyorindirectly,torefuse,withholdfromordenytosuchpersonanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesorprivilegesthereof,or,directlyorindirectly,tomakeanydeclaration,publish,circulate,issue,display,postormailanywrittenorprintedcommunication,noticeoradvertisement,totheeffectthatanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilitiesandprivilegesofanysuchplaceorprovidershallberefused,withheldfromordeniedtoanypersononaccountof…creed.
NYCAdmin.
Code§8-107(4)(a)EIGHTHCAUSEOFACTION68.
PlaintiffsrepeatandreallegeparagraphsONEthroughFORTYSEVENassetforthintheirentiretyherein.
69.
BAIDU.
COMINC.
andTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAviolatedTheNewYorkStateConstitutionArticle1§11whenDefendantsinanunlawfuldiscriminatorypracticeasownerofaplaceofpublicaccommodationunlawfullydiscriminatedagainstPlaintiffsanddiddirectlyandpurposelyrefuse,withholdfromanddenytoPlaintiffsanaccommodation,advantage,facilityorprivilegeofaplaceofpublicaccommodationwhenBAIDU.
COMINC.
asagentandenforceroftheanti-democracypoliciesofTHEPEOPLE'SREPUBLICOFCHINAcensoredandblockedfromitssearchengineresultsthewritings,publicationsandmultimediacoveragedealingwithpro-democracyeventsbecauseofPlaintiffs'creedi.
e.
beliefindemocracyandthedemocraticprocessforthecitizensofChinaandPlaintiffs'politicalspeechdealingwithpro-democracy.
70.
TheNewYorkStateConstitutionprovides:Nopersonshallbedeniedtheequalprotectionofthelawsofthisstateoranysubdivisionthereof.
Nopersonshall,becauseof…creedorreligion,besubjectedtoanydiscriminationinhisorhercivilrightsbyanyotherpersonorbyanyfirm,corporation,orinstitution,orbythestateoranyagencyorsubdivisionofthestate.
NYSConst.
Article1§11.
ATTORNEYSFEESANDCOSTS71.
ThePlaintiffshavebeenobligatedtoretainundersignedcounselforthefilingandprosecutionofthisaction.
ThePlaintiffsareentitledtohavereasonableattorneysfees,costsandexpensespaidbytheDefendants.
DAMAGES72.
ThePlaintiffseachdemandthesumofTwoMillionDollars($2,000,000)totalingdamagesofSixteenMillionDollars($16,000,000)basedontheDefendants'violationoftheU.
S.
Constitution,theNewYorkStateConstitution,Title42U.
S.
C.
1981,1983,1985,NewYorkStateHumanRightsLaw,NewYorkStateCivilRightsLawandNewYorkStateExecutiveLaw.
Dated:May17,2011Respectfullysubmitted,StephenN.
Preziosi,esq.
LawOfficeofStephenN.
PreziosiPC570SeventhAvenueNinthFloorNewYork,NewYork10018Telephone:212-300-3845Fax:212-937-3772Email:stephenpreziosi@gmail.
com