MPAA calls Google's effort to position itself as free speech defender 'shameful'

The Motion Picture Association of America has hit back at Google over Sony hacking revelations, calling the tech giant's effort to position itself as a defender of free speech "shameful."

According to Deadline.com, a Google executive in a blog post earlier Thursday lambasted the studio lobby group and some of Hollywood's heavyweights for an alleged program that they had instituted called "Project Goiliath."

In response, the MPAA issued a statement saying that "Google's Freedom of speech should never be used as a shield for unlawful activities and the internet is not a license to steal."

The MPPA said that Google was attempting to divert the attention from the ongoing investigations by state attorneys general into the role of Google Search in enabling and facilitating illegal conduct.

It added that the association will seek the assistance of any and all government agencies, whether federal, state or local, to protect the rights of all involved in creative activities, the report said.