Washington lobbying firms driven away from Alibaba now have a preliminary court order blocking the restriction that forced a choice between clients. [1]

The US restriction effectively required firms to choose between representing the Chinese technology company and representing clients seeking Pentagon contracts. Taking the Alibaba account meant choosing which clients to keep. [1]

US District Judge Eumi K. Lee ruled on Monday that the government had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the restriction. [1]

She found Alibaba likely to succeed on its free-speech challenge. That finding supports preliminary relief; it does not settle the challenge. [1]

Alibaba’s Chinese military designation remains intact. The company has secured relief over who can represent it in Washington while retaining the designation that makes the account politically difficult. [1]

For a lobbying firm considering the account, the preliminary order removes the restriction forcing a choice between Alibaba and clients seeking Pentagon contracts. [1]