West-financed judicial award under fire; legal publishing giant defends integrity of Devitt selection process

Article Abstract:

West Publishing's annual Edward J. Devitt Award to a member of the federal bench is being criticized following a series of articles in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Those stories suggested links between the $15,000 award and West's own history of defending its copyright on interior page numbers. A number of lawsuits have been brought and settled in West's favor, including some before judges who have been on the award's selection committee. Some observers suggest West set up a separate foundation for the award.

PRINTING AND PUBLISHING, Publishing, Publishing Industries, Publishing industry, Judicial ethics, Ethical aspects, Public opinion

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Merger to yield legal publishing giant; observers divided over whether Thomson-West deal will benefit attorneys

Article Abstract:

Opinion is divided over whether the planned merger of Thomson Corp and the West Publishing Co is a boon or bane for lawyers and legal research. Some law librarians fear the merger will reduce competition, raise prices and result in fewer products. Proponents cite the enhanced research possibilities products resulting from a merger of the two companies will offer, for example hypertext links between materials produced by the two companies.

Analysis, Legal research

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A recipe for merger; Thomson and West agree to change an antitrust agreement in response to competitors' criticisms

Article Abstract:

Federal district Judge Paul L. Friedman appears likely to approve a consent decree for the Thomson Corp's buyout of West Publishing Co after the former agreed to sell competitors licenses to use West's copyrighted page-numbering system as well as selling over 50 product lines which duplicate West publications. Thomson is the largest publisher of secondary source materials, while West is the largest publisher of primary ones.

Management, Interpretation and construction, Antitrust law

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