Subject:      Standard Citations
Date:         Fri, 14 Mar 1997 21:31:39 -0700
From:         "Thomas W. Hanson" <twh@twhanson.com>
Organization: Thomas W. Hanson, LLC
To:           citation@teo.uscourts.gov

     I am in favor of the courts adopting a standardized citation 
system.

     Technology has finally reached the point that it is economically 
viable to create specialized collections of case law, whether on the 
Internet or on CD. This is of benefit to both practitioners and the 
public at large by simplifying the search process. However, such 
collections are of limited use if they cannot be cited.

     By insisting on cites to West's collections, the courts are 
effectively granting West a monopoly on case law reporters. This was 
never the intent of copyright law, and is an unfortunate outgrowth of 
its application. Selecting a standard system will open the field to 
competitors and increase the number and types of services available.

Tom Hanson

Thomas W. Hanson, LLC
Evergreen, CO
Voice:    303-670-7360
E-mail:   TWH@TWHanson.com
Homepage: http://www.twhanson.com/~twh