WASHINGTON, June 7 (Reuters) - The Federal

Communications Commission on Friday asked the U.S. 6th Circuit

Court of Appeals to transfer a series of industry legal

challenges to its decision to reinstate landmark net neutrality

rules to a federal court in Washington, D.C.

The Cincinnati-based 6th Circuit was randomly selected after

legal challenges were filed in seven circuit courts. The FCC

asked that the case be transferred to the U.S. Circuit Court of

Appeals for the District of Columbia, saying, "It would be most

efficient, and in the interest of justice."

Separately, the FCC on Friday rejected a request by industry

groups representing AT&T ( T ), Comcast ( CMCSA ), Verizon

and others to halt its order from taking effect on July 22.