Facebook lawyers want lawsuit dismissed

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A lawyer for Facebook described a lawsuit by a former partner of Mark Zuckerberg as a "shakedown" during a hearing in federal court in Buffalo, N.Y.

Orin Snyder said Tuesday he will move next month for dismissal of Paul Ceglia's suit, The Buffalo News reported. He said Facebook can prove a contract Ceglia and Zuckerberg supposedly signed in 2003 was actually forged two years ago.

"The ink is wet," Snyder said.

Snyder used the word "shakedown" several times, the newspaper said.

"Since day 1, this case has been about pressuring us into writing a check, and from day 1, we've said that's not going to happen," Snyder said.

Ceglia, who has been living in Ireland recently, is from Wellsville, N.Y. Zuckerberg says he and Ceglia worked together on an Internet project in 2003 that did not involve Facebook.

Each side has accused the other of damaging the supposed contract.