Presumeably many federal judges, law professors, attorneys, and even
law librarians have favorable feelings toward the West Publishing Co.
Based on its quality products for over a hundred years and its attention
to its customer base. It has used many means to increase good will among
important customer groups like judges, law professors, and law librarians.
I think it is a stretch to say that Supreme Court justices and other
federal judges are influenced in specific cases by the fact that they have
served on an award nominating committee. If you were to tell me that
federal judges are attending workshops on intellectual property rights
law at West's expense then I would be concerned. If the program of the
conference was paid by West I would be more concerned.
I think we as law librarians who buy lots of information from West should
be more concerned about West and other vendors support of our meetings.
In fact many of us have had free trips to St. Paul to see the wonders of
the West Publishing Co.
The idea that one can easily maintain a totally arms length relationship
with those one relies on and does business with year after year is probably
naive.
I don't think federal judges are fools neither are law librarians. Certainly
Matthew Bender wishes its relationship with law librarians was better. A
slick and expensive campaign to win our hearts will not have much success if
business practices and products do not measure up.
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* Paul Richert | Bitnet or Internet Alias *
* Law Librarian and | PaulRichert@UAKRON.edu *
* Professor of Law | *
* The University of Akron | Telephone: (216) 972-6350 *
* School of Law | *
* Akron, Ohio 44325-2902 | Fax: (216) 258-2343 *
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