This is just ludicrous!  Yes, of course, this is public information.  However, nothing says that the taxpayers have to absorb the costs of disseminating the information to academics and those with idle curiosity.  And, notice that they don't seem to have a problem charging professionals - the attorneys - but they think that it should be free FOR THEM.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with charging a nominal 8-cents per page to cover the costs of operating the system, which is by all accounts an excellent system. 

Even before everything was available on the Internet, people had to pay for copies.  The clerks offices have always, as far as I am aware, charged for copies to cover their costs.  I have no idea why people think that just because it is available on the Internet, if should be free.  There is still a cost involved in providing the service. 

The federal courts have done a fantastic job of making the information available online, at a very reasonable price, but that is still not good enough for some people. 

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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