[flybuzz]

I'm looking for a service (hopefully free) like Lexus-Nexus where I can find legal rulings as they come out. For example news on the never ending patent infringement lawsuits between Rambus and NTP -- or patent rulings on Medtronic etc. A online source where you can search by a company name for current rulings.

I would appreciate any thoughts or help.

Thank you :)

[RickJ]

You'll find Lexus-Nexus is very protective.

Even if you find someone with an account, you will not be able to access the info. L-N only allows registered computers to access it.

[sideoutshu]

Really Rick? I know that in many cases you may not be able to PRINT off a computer that is not registered. But I had Lexis in Law School and could gain access with my password from anywhere. Things may have changed since then(4 years ago) and I now use Westlaw so I wouldn't know anything more recent.

To answer the original question, no lawyer that I know is going to pass out his Lexis/Westlaw password on the internet. That could get you in a lot of trouble. Try a site like findlaw.com.

[RickJ]

About a year ago I asked around about the same thing.

I ran into a guy who had an account and said that he has to tell L-N in advance what computers (IP address and location) he'd be accessing the account from.

I suppose maybe this was due to the type of account he had with them.

... or maybe he was pulling my leg!

Back to the original question: IF L-N is specifically what you're looking for, call your local public and college libraries: They might have a membership for use by their patrons.

I called Franklin University here in town out of curiosity: They do have an account for use by folks with a library card.

[sideoutshu]

Lexis was a real pain when I was in school. No matter where you accessed it from, the printing would always go to the law school library.