Author: jsweet@raleigh.ibm-com at ~Internet Date: 3/11/97 8:44 AM Priority: Normal BCC: CITATION at AO-OCPPO TO: citation@ao.uscourts.gov at ~Internet CC: jsweet@raleigh.ibm.com at ~Internet Subject: West Citation System Although it is perfectly natural for the West Publishing Company to wish to protect its interests, the issue is one of public and not merely private economic concern. Court decisions are important public documents, and the public should have free (and useful) access -- whether that access is in print or via electronic database. No one would doubt that for years West has provided an effective citation system, but the time has come for a more efficient, open system. A public domain system would allow citizens with an interest in the law to have free and instant electronic access to court documents. In short, the immense public benefits gained by ending the West monopoly far outweigh the economic harm to the legal publishing giant.