Volume V

Issue : 3: February 8, 2007

• Israeli Court Rules Operation of Foreign Gambling Website a Criminal Offence Under Israeli Law
• Patents for Dynamic Web Pages Undergo Re examination
• Federal Court Awards Maximum Statutory Damages for Copyright Infringements
• Political Attack TV Ads Potentially Breach Copyright Act
• New Jersey Appeals Court Strengthens Privacy Rights of Internet Users
• U.S. First Sale Doctrine Applies to Audiobooks
• eBay Bans Auctions of Virtual Goods
• U.S. Courts Frequently Cite Wikipedia
• Italian Court Decriminalizes Not for Profit Downloading
• WTO Finds U.S. Non-Compliant with its Internet Gambling Decision
• Canadian Tax Authorities to Use Software to Catch Online Tax Evaders
• U.S. Court of Appeals Rejects Bid to Overturn Copyright Extensions for "Orphaned" Works

Home > Volume V > Issue 3: February 8, 2007 > U.S. Courts Frequently Cite Wikipedia

U.S. Courts Frequently Cite Wikipedia

Since 2004, U.S. judges have cited Wikipedia sources in over 100 of their judicial opinions; this includes 13 from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal. For example, Judge Richard Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, praises Wikipedia as a “terrific resource” due to its convenience and accuracy. Although Wikipedia has been cited in judicial opinions discussing serious issues, Judge Posner notes that when it pertains to a critical issue, he finds it inappropriate to cite Wikipedia as a source.

However, legal scholars debate whether using Wikipedia in judicial opinions is viable. Notwithstanding its practical use, some feel that using Wikipedia in judicial opinions could potentially introduce opportunistic editing thereby creating articles that could influence a case’s outcome. There are also many who question the authenticity of Wikipedia sources.

For additional information, visit:

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2007/01/ny_times_should.html