In what could be a pivotal moment, the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) appears to be making significant strides in its high-profile legal battle against Australian computer scientist Craig Wright, who asserts himself as the original creator of Bitcoin.
The proceedings of the landmark trial, which have been ongoing in the UK, have entered their final phase, with both sides presenting their closing arguments. COPA’s legal representative, Jonathan Hough, articulated confidently, “Based on the evidence presented throughout this trial, it is now unequivocally clear – clear beyond any shadow of doubt – that Dr. Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto. He did not author the Bitcoin white paper, develop the Bitcoin code, or establish the Bitcoin system.”
Established in 2020, COPA emerged as a collective dedicated to advancing blockchain innovation by advocating for open access to patents. Its membership boasts 33 influential entities, including Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Jack Dorsey’s payment venture Block, the prominent Bitcoin investor MicroStrategy, and major centralized exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini.
Craig Wright, who has publicly proclaimed himself as Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous figure credited with inventing Bitcoin, holds numerous patents related to blockchain technology. Notably, he has initiated legal action against Bitcoin developers and companies, alleging infringement of his copyright pertaining to Bitcoin’s seminal white paper.
This trial represents a critical juncture in the ongoing discourse surrounding the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto and the ownership of foundational Bitcoin intellectual property. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of blockchain innovation, patent rights within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, and the broader landscape of digital currencies.
Early in the case, Jack Dorsey stepped in and covered the legal expenses for developers and associated companies from his cryptocurrency legal fund, the Bitcoin Legal Defence Fund.
Furthermore, it appears that Wright’s narrative is falling apart. In January of this year, he proposed an out-of-court settlement to COPA, which the alliance vehemently rejected, as stated in a tweet.
Hard pass on that "settlement."
Just like Craig Wright forges documents and doesn't quite tell the truth, his description of the settlement offer isn't quite accurate either – it comes with loopholes that would allow him to sue people all over again.
— COPA (@opencryptoorg) January 24, 2024
The recent exploits of Craig Wright
Craig Wright’s claims have faced significant challenges, particularly during intense cross-examination earlier this year. In early February, COPA’s legal team highlighted a concerning revelation: many documents presented in Wright’s defense were identified as deliberate forgeries. Attempting to dismiss these accusations, Wright insinuated a conspiracy involving anonymous individuals on platforms like Reddit and across the internet, purportedly aiming to tarnish his reputation.
Subsequently, in a bizarre turn of events, Wright asserted that he had disposed of hard drives containing his purportedly crucial private keys while under the influence of sedative medications. This admission further raised doubts about the credibility of his claims.
During the same month, witness David Bridges introduced a new angle to the proceedings. He suggested that Wright might indeed be Satoshi Nakamoto, citing Wright’s affinity for Japanese culture and a proposal he had made for an alternative to the global SWIFT payments system during their collaboration. Additionally, Bridges recalled receiving numerous papers and documents from Wright, speculating that one of them might have been the original Bitcoin white paper. However, Bridges admitted that he had not recognized its significance at the time, dismissing it as merely irritating.
In a last-ditch effort to assert his identity as Satoshi Nakamoto, Craig Wright released a staggering 160,000 pages of purported evidence last month. However, this move is widely viewed as desperate, raising further skepticism about the authenticity of his claims.
