Subject: Public Domain Citation System Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 09:21:07 -0600 From: jayhawk@ghg.net (Chris Carter) To: citation@teo.uscourts.gov CC: margiew@cnet.com To Whom it May Concern: I would like to register my support for the initiative to make a public domain citation system for judicial opinions. In the days when West and Lexis were providing a computer infrastructure and delivery system to retrieve case law and other documents, paying an access fee (by most accounts, an exorbitant one) did not seem completely unfair. However, this technology created duopoly has become obsolete. The Internet and technology in general has made it possible to put all court documents online cheaply and efficiently. By allowing West's copyright on the citation system, progress is hindered towards what really is a public right to access, not an privilege. Americans should have always had this sort of easy, usable access to the laws of our country, however technology has just now made it feasible. West has made a handsome profit by providing exclusive access, those days should be over, and if their citation system is going to continue to receive copyright protection then an alternative one should be developed. West claims that an alternative will present too great of a burden on our judges and clerks. Tough. First, I don't believe that to be the case. Second, if we are unwilling to recognize that West's system does not deserve protection then we must 'bite the bullet' and go through a 'painful' transition in the name of national interest. We have increasingly refused implement policies on a national and local level because it will be hard. This is not an excuse, it is instead a way of preparing ourselves, an should be used for nothing more. Thank You, Chris Carter, Esq. Houston, TX