Buffalo - A federal judge has officially closed the book on a New York man's multibillion-dollar lawsuit claiming half-ownership of Facebook.
Judge Richard Arcara has granted Facebook and founder Mark Zuckerberg's motion to dismiss Paul Ceglia's lawsuit.
Last week's ruling affirms a magistrate judge's recommendation from a year ago saying the lawsuit should be thrown out, because the contract Ceglia based it on was faked.
Ceglia claimed he and Zuckerberg signed a 2003 software development contract that included a provision entitling him to half-ownership of Facebook in exchange for start-up money for the budding company.
Facebook lawyers said the two had a contract, but references to Facebook were slipped in for the lawsuit.
Ceglia awaits trial on related criminal fraud charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
Judge Richard Arcara has granted Facebook and founder Mark Zuckerberg's motion to dismiss Paul Ceglia's lawsuit.
Last week's ruling affirms a magistrate judge's recommendation from a year ago saying the lawsuit should be thrown out, because the contract Ceglia based it on was faked.
Ceglia claimed he and Zuckerberg signed a 2003 software development contract that included a provision entitling him to half-ownership of Facebook in exchange for start-up money for the budding company.
Facebook lawyers said the two had a contract, but references to Facebook were slipped in for the lawsuit.
Ceglia awaits trial on related criminal fraud charges. He has pleaded not guilty.