Bitcoin.org blocks users from downloading Bitcoin Core amidst legal case

An anonymous Bitcoin (BTC) developer, who goes by the pseudonym Cøbra has blocked access to the Bitcoin white paper and suspended downloading of the Bitcoin Core software for UK users on Bitcoin.org, “an informational site dedicated to help educate and facilitate the understanding of Bitcoin.”

The restriction was ordered by London’s High Court, which ruled in favour of self-proclaimed Bitcoin creator Craig Wright, in the Bitcoin.org white paper case earlier this week.

We have to follow the law

Released in 2008 under an MIT public license, the Bitcoin white paper is a technical manifesto, outlining the fundamentals for the first functional cryptocurrency powered by a distributed ledger technology called blockchain, as it breaks down the fundamentals of a cryptographically secured, peer-to-peer electronic payment system.

London’s High Court forbade the developer from distributing this document in any way or form, so Cobra decided to shut down the Bitcoin software downloading as well.

What the actual fuck???

It seems not only the Whitepaper, but also Bitcoin Core is being blocked for UK users on https://t.co/yfRNo6xu4ihttps://t.co/BbLqb5p6lB

H/T @TrotterMax pic.twitter.com/c4usiqLfgR

— Glenn Hodl (@glennhodl) July 2, 2021

“The white paper is in the blockchain and can be retrieved through the software. I’m not allowed to distribute the white paper on bitcoin.org, or “in any other way.” We have to follow the law,” said the pseudonymous developer on Twitter, adding that disobeying the order would lead to the entire site getting blocked in the UK. 

According to him, disregarding the ruling could lead to serious ramifications, resulting in the incarceration of people associated with the company behind Bitcoin.org for up to 2 years if they visit the UK. 

The discussion on Twitter continues to revolve around whether the pseudonymous admin of Bitcoin.org needs to find someone else, “more anonymous,”  to host Bitcoin Core instead.

Oh yeh it's very straightforward to get it elsewhere – this is more the principal of the whole thing.

If the admin of https://t.co/yfRNo6xu4i doesn't feel he can host Bitcoin Core then he needs to hand over control to someone who does.

— Glenn Hodl (@glennhodl) July 2, 2021

Default judgement

The self-proclaimed “Bitcoin creator” Craig S. Wright demanded the removal of the Bitcoin white paper, alleging the violation of his copyright.

The anonymous developer refused to do so and the Australian IT entrepreneur sued him, but since Cøbra chose to withhold his actual identity from the court in order to protect his anonymity, the verdict was by default granted in Wright’s favor, leaving the pseudonymous admin having to pay the 35,000 Pounds litigation costs.

In an era in which anonymity is not anonymous enough, the high prices of its preservation keep reaffirming its value, priceless. 

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