Wikipedia: More than Just a Footnote for Lawsuits
March 25, 2008
David Kelly, member of Finnegan's Trademark and Copyright Practice Group, discuss how the on-line encyclopedia Wikipedia has made its way into numerous U.S. judicial opinions, including 13 U.S. federal circuit courts of appeal.
Due to concerns about the ability of anonymous users to edit Wikipedia entries, some courts have questioned Wikipedia's reliability and subsequent admissibility. Kelly and Bonny conclude that trademark practitioners may want to be cautious about sole reliance on Wikipedia articles. "When in doubt, trademark attorneys may want to follow the Board's advice and submit corroborating evidence if possible."
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