Subject: New Citation System Date: 14 Mar 97 16:16:14 EST From: "Peter L. Sissman" <72723.1773@CompuServe.COM> To: To: citation@ao.uscourts.gov Dear Administrative Office: I write to strongly endorse any proposal, including the ABA's, that will allow citation to opinions without the use of West Publishing Company page numbers. I do think that the paragraph system is a good idea, though. My reasons are simple and not unique. It was bad enough when West was independent. Now, because of mergers and proposed mergers, there is much less competition. West has used its copyright claim to subsequent page numbers to limit competition and entry into the case publishing field. The new citation system would allow and encourage competition. Alternative research services on CD and on-line have developed in response to improved technology. However, these services are limited in usefulness due to the absence of subsequent page numbers to cite internal parts of the case. The proposed system would not only eliminate this problem, but would allow a more precise citation. Because of its monopoly, West is able to charge outrageous prices compared to the CD and on-line services to which I have access. The new system will give laypeople, via the Internet, much more access case law, which belongs to everyone. No court system, including the federal court system, should endorse or encourage West's monopoly over internal citations. West should have to compete with other legal publishers. The proposed citation system would do just that. At ABA meetings, that I have attended, I gather that my view is shared by a majority of my colleagues. Thank you for the opportunity of presenting my comments. Peter L. Sissman Attorney at Law Suite 205 1840 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22201-3000 Tel: (703) 522-2220 Fax: (703) 358-9458 Internet: 72723.1773@compuserve.com