In a significant legal development, a UK court has overturned all previous judgments against Cøbra, the pseudonymous operator of Bitcoin.org, in a copyright dispute over the Bitcoin whitepaper. This decision marks a crucial turn in the longstanding legal battle initiated by Craig Wright, who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive creator of Bitcoin.
Background and Fraud Allegation
The court’s reversal stems from the revelation that the initial claim leading to a default judgment against Cøbra in June 2021 was “entirely fraudulent.” This revelation has cast doubt on Wright’s assertions of copyright ownership over the Bitcoin whitepaper, a foundational document in the cryptocurrency world.
Initially, Wright’s lawsuit appeared to succeed as Cøbra chose not to disclose their identity to contest the case. Consequently, a default judgment was issued, mandating Bitcoin.org to remove the whitepaper from its UK site and bear significant legal costs.
Court Ruling and Implications
However, the latest court ruling has overturned not only the default judgment but also nullified subsequent orders issued between April 2021 and October 2023. This includes orders related to service, cost judgments, and other legal rulings, marking a comprehensive rejection of the case against Cøbra.
The judgments against @CobraBitcoin have been set aside, because they were obtained fraudulently https://t.co/Z79wWX9iAm pic.twitter.com/eR1J04HBtW
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) July 16, 2024
This reversal not only relieves Cøbra of substantial legal fees but also underscores the open-source ethos of Bitcoin’s foundational principles. It raises fundamental questions about the validity of Wright’s claims and the broader implications for his assertions of being Satoshi Nakamoto, a claim that has long been contested within the cryptocurrency community.
The outcome is seen as a victory for Cøbra and advocates of open-source principles, reaffirming the accessibility and decentralization inherent in Bitcoin’s founding documents. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, this decision sets a precedent in defining copyright ownership and disputes within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
