Author:   howardf@hsmpk12a-53.Eng.Sun.COM (Howard Freedland) at 
          ~Internet
Date:     3/13/ 0  12:56 PM
Priority: Normal
BCC:      citation at AO-OCPPO
TO:       citation@ao.uscourts.gov at ~Internet
Subject:  ABA Citation Resolution

Judicial Conference -

     I support the use of ABA Citations rather than the current 
methodology.  The is the nation's property -- free for all to use. As 
long as one company, West Publishing, contends an ownership right in 
the pagination and organization of the case law of this country's 
courts, it deprives the nation of the unfettered right to use, rely 
on, cite, and know the law.

     Attempts such as West's demonstrate the need for a new citation 
system one that is clearly owned by no one. Will it take a little 
time to learn? Yes. But so did the computerized systems now in place. 
Any court willing to yank their computers and substitute typewriters 
and carbon paper? I thought not.

     Progress sometimes entails a learning curve. Without the courage 
to move to a publicly owned system, the courts will languish in the 
Star Chamber days when the law was owned and inaccessible.

Howard Freedland