Judge refuses to let Facebook claimant see Zuckerberg's computers | Albuquerque Express

Judge refuses to let Facebook claimant see Zuckerberg's computers

Albuquerque Express Thursday 5th April, 2012

• New York based man seeks half-ownership of Facebook

• Social networking site trashes the claim

• Court denies his request to examine Zuckerberg's computers

New York - Paul Ceglia, a New York-based man who has sought half-ownership of Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook received a legal blow to his claim after a court ruled that he won't be able to question the popular social networking site's co-founder or examine his computers, at least for now.

Paul Ceglia has alleged that in 2003, he had a deal with Mark Zuckerberg of $1,000 and that he had a contract granting him at least half the ownership of Facebook.

The firm has dismissed the claim, saying that the contract and other documents Ceglia has provided were faked.

"We are very pleased with (the) ruling," Facebook lawyer Orin Snyder said.

The court denied Ceglia's request for broad discovery and continues to focus these proceedings solely on the question of Ceglia's criminal fraud.

"We welcome the opportunity to develop additional evidence of Ceglia's misconduct and look forward to having him held accountable," said Snyder.

Facebook's lawyers say Ceglia and Zuckerberg signed a contract to develop street-mapping software in 2003 when the owner had not conceived of the social network.

Ceglia's has been asked to submit expert reports on the contract within two months.

Magistrate Judge Leslie Foschio however said Ceglia's lawyers would be able to question Facebook's experts about the two-page document he has furnished.

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