UK Supreme Court Refuses Craig Wright Appeal Against Bitcoin Podcaster

UK Supreme Court Refuses Craig Wright Appeal Against Bitcoin Podcaster

The U.K. Supreme Court has denied Craig Wright’s appeal against bitcoin podcaster Peter McCormack in a libel claim case. In July, a panel of judges ruled that Wright was only entitled to a nominal amount of 1 GBP in compensation, and now the Supreme Court has refused Wright permission to appeal this ruling. McCormack’s representative, Rupert Cowper-Coles, confirmed the decision and expressed satisfaction that the judgment stands. This latest loss for Wright comes amidst another ongoing legal battle with crypto companies and bitcoin developers over alleged copyright violations. The group involved in that case has rejected a settlement offer from Wright, citing concerns about potential loopholes.

Introduction

This article discusses the UK Supreme Court’s recent refusal to grant Craig Wright permission to appeal a ruling in his case against bitcoin podcaster Peter McCormack. The court had previously ruled that Wright was only entitled to 1 GBP in compensation for a libel claim against McCormack, who had questioned Wright’s claim to be Bitcoin inventor Satoshi Nakamoto. This development marks another setback for Wright, who is also currently involved in a legal battle against various crypto companies and bitcoin developers over alleged copyright violations. Additionally, the article explores the response of the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA) to Wright’s offer to settle the case and provides an overview of the formation of an editorial committee at CoinDesk to ensure journalistic integrity.

Background

Craig Wright is a controversial figure in the cryptocurrency world, as he has repeatedly claimed to be the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. However, his claims have been met with skepticism and criticism from many in the industry. Peter McCormack, a prominent bitcoin podcaster, was among those who questioned Wright’s assertions, leading to a defamation lawsuit.

UK Supreme Court Case

Craig Wright Denied Permission to Appeal

The UK Supreme Court recently decided not to grant Craig Wright permission to appeal the ruling in his case against Peter McCormack. This means that the previous ruling, which awarded Wright only 1 GBP in compensation for the defamation claim, stands.

Panel of Judges’ Ruling

In July, a panel of judges ruled that Wright was only entitled to nominal damages of 1 GBP for the libel claim against McCormack. This ruling was a blow to Wright, who had sought substantial compensation for the alleged defamation.

Compensation for Libel Claim

The ruling by the panel of judges limited the compensation for the libel claim to just 1 GBP. This nominal amount reflects the court’s view that Wright’s reputation had not been significantly harmed by McCormack’s statements.

Legal Representation

Law Firm RPC

Rupert Cowper-Coles, a partner at law firm RPC, represented Peter McCormack in the case against Craig Wright. Cowper-Coles confirmed that the Supreme Court had refused permission for Wright’s appeal.

Rupert Cowper-Coles

Rupert Cowper-Coles, a partner at law firm RPC, has been representing Peter McCormack in his case against Craig Wright. Cowper-Coles played a crucial role in ensuring that the ruling in favor of McCormack stood.

Shoosmiths

Craig Wright’s legal team was represented by the law firm Shoosmiths. However, CoinDesk’s attempts to reach out to Wright’s lawyers for comment on the Supreme Court’s decision were unsuccessful.

Another Legal Battle

Wright’s Legal Battle Against Crypto Companies and Developers

In addition to his case against Peter McCormack, Craig Wright is involved in a separate legal battle against several crypto companies and bitcoin developers. The lawsuit alleges copyright violations related to Bitcoin’s white paper, blockchain database, and file format.

Violation of Copyright Allegations

Craig Wright claims that the defendant companies and developers have violated his alleged copyright to Bitcoin’s white paper, blockchain database, and file format. He argues that their use of these elements without permission warrants legal action.

Offer to Settle Rejected

The non-profit organization Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA), which represents the defendant companies and developers, rejected an offer made by Wright to settle the long-standing case. COPA cited loopholes in the settlement offer that would allow Wright to initiate further lawsuits in the future.

COPA’s Response

Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA)

COPA is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the 13 Bitcoin Core developers and various companies involved in the cryptocurrency industry. It aims to promote a collaborative and open approach to innovation in the crypto space.

Bitcoin Core Developers and Companies Involved

The 13 Bitcoin Core developers and companies such as Coinbase and Block are among those named in Craig Wright’s copyright infringement lawsuit. These individuals and entities play a significant role in the development and use of Bitcoin.

Loopholes in Settlement Offer

COPA rejected Craig Wright’s offer to settle the copyright infringement case, citing the presence of loopholes in the proposed settlement. These loopholes would enable Wright to continue initiating legal proceedings against individuals and companies in the future.

Editorial Committee Formation

CoinDesk’s Acquisition by Bullish Group

CoinDesk, a leading media outlet focused on cryptocurrency and digital assets, was acquired by the Bullish Group in November 2023. Bullish Group is the majority owner of CoinDesk and also owns Bullish, a regulated digital assets exchange.

Formation of Editorial Committee

As part of the acquisition, CoinDesk is in the process of forming an editorial committee to ensure journalistic integrity. This committee, chaired by a former editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, will support the independence of CoinDesk as a subsidiary of the Bullish Group.

Journalistic Integrity Support

The formation of the editorial committee at CoinDesk reflects a commitment to maintaining high standards of journalistic integrity. With the support of this committee, CoinDesk aims to provide unbiased and accurate reporting on cryptocurrency and blockchain-related topics.

Conclusion

The UK Supreme Court’s refusal to grant Craig Wright permission to appeal the ruling in his case against Peter McCormack has dealt a blow to Wright’s legal efforts. The court’s decision to award only nominal damages of 1 GBP for the defamation claim reflects its view on the extent of the alleged harm to Wright’s reputation. Additionally, Wright’s ongoing legal battle against crypto companies and developers over copyright violations has faced hurdles, with the recent rejection of his settlement offer by the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA). CoinDesk’s acquisition by the Bullish Group and the formation of an editorial committee demonstrate the commitment of the media outlet to uphold journalistic integrity and independence.