Carl Malamud Takes on WestLaw (Putting a complete database of US Case law in the public domain)(radar.oreilly.com)

radar.oreilly.com

Carl Malamud Takes on WestLaw (Putting a complete database of US Case law in the public domain)

http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/08/carl_malamud_ta.html

1 comments

pdsull19년 전

As a law student, I can attest to the fact that a great deal of Westlaw's value comes from the content they add. However, almost all of that value is derived from the texts of the cases themselves (in fact, all of it other than the search engine - which is fantastic compared to the alternatives [see findlaw.com another West product]). Westlaw provides overall synopses of cases, brief summaries of a case's points of law, and the ability to easily see any cases that cite the one you are reading (and if they do so positively or negatively).

Aside from the search engine, I wonder if most of this couldn't be replicated by some sort of a wiki. Given a complete collection of the texts and enough knowledgeable, willing volunteers - could Westlaw be replicated?