BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A judge has denied a series of motions by an upstate New York businessman who claims to have co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg.
Paul Ceglia is seeking a 50 percent share of Facebook, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported. A lawyer for Zuckerberg said he believes Ceglia has little chance.
At the end of a 4-hour hearing in Buffalo, U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Foschio rejected a request by Ceglia's lawyer, Jeffrey Lake, to refer the case to arbitration.
"They're desperate to mediate, now that their case has exploded," Orin S. Snyder said. "The noose is tightening around [Ceglia's] neck."
Ceglia was not at the hearing.
Snyder said lawyers hope to show a contract Ceglia claims Zuckerberg signed in 2003 is a fake. He said Zuckerberg knew Ceglia but denies there was a partnership.
