Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Source: Wikipedia)
Facebook vs. ConnectU, round two
Facebook is once again back in court after founder Mark Zuckerberg's former Harvard classmates, who accuse him of stealing code, are attempting to reopen a settlement case that was completed in February.
Several of Zuckerberg's classmates claim they hired Zuckerberg to help them finish working on their project, ConnectU, but Zuckerberg instead allegedly stole their plans for the site.
Facebook eventually counter-sued ConnectU, attempting to claim company representatives tried to access Facebook servers to steal company data.
"The worst case scenario is that Facebook doesn't own its core code and that it's been using someone else's code for the foundation of its company," said Eric Goldman, Santa Clara University School of Law assistant professor and director of the university's High Tech Law institute. "That could lead to damages that are catastrophic. In the worst case scenario, this could be a fight for Facebook's life."
ConnectU believes it has stumbled upon new evidence that it will be able to use in court to show Zuckerberg did indeed steal code and ideas.
Facebook is now the most popular social networking web site in the world, finally passing MySpace. According to comScore, the site had 123.9 million unique visitors last month, with MySpace having 114.6 million total users.
It's possible the judge will make a ruling before summer ends, but both sides are ready to dig in for the long run.
Several journalists believe the hearing was unlawfully sealed by U.S. District Judge Jame Ware, who decided to bar the public from being able to enter the court room. The judge apparently made the decision without either side requesting it, though he said since the hearing will focus on the agreement between the two companies, sensitive information may be disclosed.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals must offer the public and press "a reasonable opportunity to state their objections," and the "reasons supporting closure must be articulated" to all parties.
Attorneys from both sides remain tight-lipped about the case and as to why the media is no longer allowed in the court room.
There are a number of different rumors making the rounds on the Internet as to why the judge banned the public, and what kind of new evidence ConnectU could have found. One popular rumor is that ConnectU will present instant message logs from Zuckerberg that the company does not want made public.
Facebook previously had legal troubles after fellow former Harvard classmate Aaron Greenspan claims he used the Facebook name first and Zuckerberg took it without permission. The popular social networking site is contesting Greenspan's claims.
"We can't expect users to use common sense. That would eliminate the need for all sorts of legislation, committees, oversight and lawyers." -- Christopher Jennings
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