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In a landmark ruling, the judge presiding over the legal dispute regarding the inventorship of Bitcoin has declared that Australian computer scientist Craig Wright is not the creator of the cryptocurrency.
The verdict, delivered by Mr Justice Mellor after a five-week trial at the High Court, came promptly following the conclusion of proceedings. Despite expectations of deliberation, the judge cited overwhelming evidence leading to a swift decision.
Bitcoin, the world’s most renowned cryptocurrency, has been thrust into the limelight recently with its unprecedented surge to a new record valuation. Yet, the identity of its creator, known only by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, has remained a mystery. Since 2016, Dr. Wright has asserted himself as Satoshi Nakamoto, but his claims have faced scrutiny from cryptocurrency experts, and his supporting evidence has been subject to skepticism.
Dr. Wright has been embroiled in legal battles for years, defending his narrative against individuals who contested his assertions. This particular case, heard at the Intellectual Property Court of London’s High Court, was initiated by a consortium of Bitcoin companies, including members of the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), which includes Jack Dorsey’s payments firm, Block. COPA accused Dr. Wright of hindering cryptocurrency development through aggressive litigation tactics.
During the trial, COPA’s legal team accused Dr. Wright of engaging in a “massive campaign of dishonesty and forgery,” alleging that he had even forged documents while the proceedings were ongoing. Jonathan Hough, COPA’s lawyer, emphasized the seriousness of Dr. Wright’s actions, characterizing some aspects as farcical yet stressing their significant ramifications.
Dr. Wright’s defense contended that if he were not the true inventor, Satoshi Nakamoto would have surfaced to refute his claims. However, Mr. Justice Mellor concurred with the plaintiffs, affirming that Dr. Wright was not the individual behind the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and did not create the Bitcoin system. A comprehensive written judgement is expected to follow the judge’s ruling.
The outcome of this trial marks a significant milestone in the ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding Bitcoin’s origins and reinforces the enduring enigma surrounding its creator.
