Wikipedia as Authority in Technology Tutorials for the Court
Buried in footnote 4 of Judge Clark's Markman ruling
in Iovate Health Sciences Inc et al v. Bio-Engineered Supplements &
Nutrition Inc , 9:07-cv-46 is the Court's bemused observation that "[a]t the end of
its technology synopsis, supposedly submitted for the purpose of
educating the court, BSN stated “Nothing herein should be construed as
an admission by BSN.” See Doc. # 90 at 11. Questioning revealed that
BSN had copied excerpts from Wikipedia, an on-line encyclopedia service
that can be altered at will by any user. Tr. at p. 109, l. 16 - p. 110,
l. 25. In spite of BSN’s kind warning to the court that the documents
and statements it presents to the court are not to be trusted, BSN’s description of citric acid in three ionic forms is, in this instance, correct." (Emphasis added).
I'm at a loss for words on this one. Just talk among yourselves.
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