Subject:      true public access to court opinions and cases
Date:         Mon, 10 Mar 1997 11:04:19 -0400
From:         Rick Gouckenour <rgouck@ix.netcom.com>
Organization: microcel international
To:           citation@teo.uscourts.gov,due@ix.netcom.com

     The open records sham: if you have roadblocks, no matter what 
they are, there is no "public access". if these are truely public 
records that Westlaw has what is a virtual monopoly on, then they 
should be put on the internet for the whole world to cite, see, and 
study. this would circumvent this virtual (and possibly unethical) 
monopoly.

     I recently researched state laws regarding liens and used the 
web as my research tool. i was able to view the actual statutes for 
over half of the states and found answers for another 10 states in 
their on-line databases of appeals court opinions. none of this was 
private information and most was obtained directly from each state's 
web site.

     I am reminded of when gas stations did not post prices so they 
could be seen by passing motorists. there was little competition: few 
motorists would stop at the pumps and then drive off! now we have 
almost all stations posting prices so all can see and we have the 
lowest price for gas available (this is a simplification, of course, 
as there are numerous factors affecting the price of gas at the local 
level). The moral: perfect information begets perfect competition.

     Ask yourselves who wins if the information becomes widely and 
easily accessed? who loses? WestLaw is probably the big loser, but 
look at all the winners! huge numbers.

     As a summary: I am for all public records and documents being 
available on-line. public court documents, liens, property transfers, 
property tax information, and anything else that is public 
information.

     Thank you for the opportunity to give input.

                                   rdg