Great article on LLRX published 24 April… Emily Donnellan writes..
So, who is getting changed for using PACER? It is the users accessing large amounts of case briefs. Those include law firms and big databases like Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg who pull their data directly from PACER.
The big databases are using PACER data to better sell their services. Westlaw has Dockets on Westlaw, Lexis has Courtlink, and Bloomberg has Docket Key. It can be argued that since most law firms have access to at least one of these databases they too are getting dockets for “free” (minus the cost of what the database is charging of course). To these heavy users 10 cents per page is a drop in the bucket for maintaining the PACER database and ensuring the court has the resources to keep this information flowing.
When I began formulating this post I was firmly on the side of open data. I’m a librarian after all – I want free access to government information, transparency, and the ability for pro se litigants to easily access what they need. PACER fees are not harming this type of user. They’re charging those at the top of the food chain that want government data for free.
And something about that doesn’t feel right to me.
Read her full article here and yes unsurprisingly we agree with Emily. Yet again these companies are using their size to take advantage of Govt / public information.. we’d say time to charge them more and encourage smaller faster sharper new tech companies in on a level playing field so those who want better tech to access the data can get it at far more equitable pricing.
