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from the won't-anyone-think-of-the-lawyers? dept.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is taking Shakespeare's phrase "let's kill all the lawyers" to a different level. On Monday, he sued many of the attorneys who represented a New Yorker named Paul Ceglia, the man who claimed Zuckerberg promised him half of Facebook back when Zuckerberg was an 18-year-old Harvard University student.
"The lawyers representing Ceglia knew or should have known that the lawsuit was a fraud—it was brought by a convicted felon with a history of fraudulent scams, and it was based on an implausible story and obviously forged documents. In fact, Defendants’ own co-counsel discovered the fraud, informed the other lawyers, and withdrew. Despite all this, Defendants vigorously pursued the case in state and federal courts and in the media," Facebook said in a New York Supreme Court suit [PDF].
Ceglia faces trial next year on accusations that his lawsuit—in which he claimed half ownership of Facebook—was a fraud. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a maximum 40-year prison term if convicted.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by skullz on Tuesday October 21 2014, @09:30PM
After reading through that NYSC PDF I have to take my hat off to Zuckerberg's lawyers. They did a good job: things like incorrect timezone offsets and faded marks on the contract where it was pinned to dry. Not a fan of Facespace but nice job.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by frojack on Tuesday October 21 2014, @09:37PM
Still, lawyers going after lawyers... Once the money changes hands, it will be swept under the rug.
Zuk doesn't need more money, but those lawyers will miss it, and zuk's lawyers will enjoy it.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by skullz on Tuesday October 21 2014, @09:46PM
Maybe I'm being naive here but I saw it as someone with the clout to do so defending a tech company from moochers.
I know that it is all about the money and people with money wanting MOR money but hopefully it will send a message to lawyers that they can't just make stuff up to get money or they might lose their money.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by frojack on Tuesday October 21 2014, @09:57PM
I'd feel better if he was suing them for their licence to practice law.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 22 2014, @01:29AM
The way most legal bars work, being convicted of something like this is a direct prescription to losing your license to practice law. So they just might lose their license. And frankly, I hope they do. As much as I despise facebook, I despise lawyers more, and having more lawyers losing their license's when the pull stunts like this would deter the other bottom feeding fools from trying it themselves.