Craig Wright, who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto but is not, appeared in court today for a contempt application filed by the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA). The judge set a date for the contempt hearing on Dec. 18, where it will be discussed whether Wright must be present in person and if he will be cross-examined.
During the court proceedings, Wright objected to a stay in the claim against Square Up and other defendants but eventually agreed to the short stay after the judge clarified that it would not affect the trial date. The judge ruled to stay the claim against Square Up, mentioning that any new claims against additional entities would need to be properly formatted and served.
Wright expressed hesitance to attend the December hearing in person, citing his autism spectrum disorder and the challenges he faces in a courtroom setting. He requested to participate remotely from Singapore, where he plans to be with his family during the holidays. The judge acknowledged his condition but stressed the importance of Wright’s physical presence in court for the contempt proceedings.
Despite Wright’s concerns, COPA’s legal representative argued for his in-person attendance, emphasizing the significance of the proceedings and Wright’s status as a UK resident. The judge postponed the decision on this matter until reviewing additional evidence that Wright will provide, and another hearing was scheduled for Nov. 26 to address remaining issues.
This is not the first time Wright has faced contempt charges. In 2022, he was involved in a contempt case related to an alleged embargo breach after a libel ruling involving Peter McCormack. While previous contempt proceedings were not pursued due to various considerations, the current application poses new legal challenges.
Discussions during the court proceedings also touched on logistical aspects of the upcoming hearing, such as page limits for legal documents and concerns regarding remote participation from Singapore. The judge emphasized the need to follow court protocols and the seriousness of the contempt allegations.
It is essential for Wright to comply with the court’s decisions and participate in the upcoming hearings to address the contempt application filed against him by COPA. The judge’s insistence on his physical presence in the UK demonstrates the gravity of the situation and the importance of ensuring a fair and just legal process. Wright’s actions and decisions in the coming days will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the case and his legal standing in the cryptocurrency community.
