forbes.com
In a definitive ruling at the Rolls Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice in London, the case of Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance vs. Craig Wright reached a decisive conclusion.
After the closing statements, Mr Justice Mellor informed the London Court that Craig Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin. This judgment marks the end of Wright's long-standing claim to Satoshi's identity and as the author of the Bitcoin Whitepaper.
COPA released a statement:
The trial spanned six weeks and was prepared by Jonathan Hough KC from Bird & Bird representing COPA, and Alex Gunning KC and Beth Collett from Macfarlanes LLP, representing the Bitcoin Core Developers. It featured a vast and complex collection of documents and evidence.
During the trial, Wright's cross-examination brought more questions than answers, with Hough often referring to Wright's responses as 'another work of fiction' and 'a pack of lies.' Gunning's reference to 'Wright's nemesis - the unsigned integer' was just one of the many instances where they effectively dismantled the absurdity of Wright's defense.
This now casts a spotlight on other legal conflicts, involving Peter McCormack, Hodlonaut, and the Bitcoin Core Developers, whose cases were regularly referenced during the trials.
McCormack's tweets, such as "Craig Wright is not Satoshi," "BSV is a fake bitcoin run by frauds," and "Craig Wright fraudulently claimed to be Satoshi," led to a libel lawsuit against McCormack by Wright. When asked to comment on the verdict, McCormack simply stated, 'Craig Wright is a fraud'.
Hodlonaut's case revealed a similar story. His refusal to comply with Wright's demands to apologize and state in court that Wright was Satoshi Nakamoto led to a relentless pursuit by Wright and his associates. This resulted in a bounty placed on revealing his identity and hired private investigators, which ultimately led to his doxxing.
The Bitcoin Core Developers also faced similar pressures and intimidation tactics.
These cases illustrate the broader ramifications of Wright's actions, which have imposed financial and emotional strains on those he pursued. COPA wants to stop Wright from making the claim again, so they're asking for a court order aiming to "avoid further litigation terror campaigns," according to a COPA spokesperson.
A written verdict, expected in the coming month, will provide details of the judgment, including specific forms of relief and a comprehensive account of the trial's proceedings. It will explain exactly why Craig Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto.