Subject:  comments on public domain citations for court opinions
Date:     Fri, 14 Mar 1997 15:41:19 -0500 (EST)
From:     bultman@asic1.si.com (Steve Bultman)
To:       citation@teo.uscourts.gov

Steve Bultman
4282 Turtlebend #4
Grandville MI, 49418
bultman steve@si.com

ABA Citation Resolution
Suite 4-512
Administrative Office of the U.S.
Courts, Washington, DC 20544

March 14 1997

Dear members of the U.S. Judicial Conference:

     I am writing to request that you to [sic] adopt a public domain 
citation for judicial opinions.

     I am an Engineer who is concerned that I currently have almost 
no access to the judicial system of the U.S. The system of citations 
as it presently stands benefits the bottom line of one foreign owned 
publishing company at the expense of all Americans. It requires 
everyone, including the courts themselves to purchase, at great 
expense, what amounts to the rights to documents that should be the 
property of the people of this country.  It would be understandable 
if the courts were to pay a company for their services in printing 
these documents, but allowing the publishing company rights to 
documents in the form required by most courts in the country is 
ludicrous. If it weren't such a serious matter I would have a good 
laugh over the absurdity of it.

     Of course having the courts number the opinions and paragraphs 
of them will require some effort on their part. However, given the 
fact the [sic] with a public domain system the courts would not have 
to "buy back" the law from the publisher and the fact that the people 
of this country would have access to the law of their land, this 
effort should be more than justified.

     I urge you to do something that is right. So often in recent 
events the actions of the Government have been favorable to 
Corporations or to the special interest groups that have major 
financial backing. (capable of flying supreme court justices to award 
ceremonies at resorts) You now have the chance to reverse this 
disturbing trend and do something that is right for the people of 
this country. Please take advantage of the opportunity.

Thank You,
Steve Bultman