Technology

The business and culture of our digital lives,
from the L.A. Times

Federal judge orders Paul Ceglia to pay fine in Facebook case

The New York state man who claims he's entitled to half of Mark Zuckerberg's multibillion-dollar stake in Facebook has been fined $5,000 by a federal judge for not complying with a court order.

Paul Ceglia was also ordered to pay some of Facebook's legal fees.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio's ruling is a victory for Facebook and Zuckerberg, who have denounced Ceglia's claims that he and Zuckerberg signed a 2003 contract that gives him an ownership stake in Facebook, which is on the verge of a $100-billion initial public offering.

Facebook plans to ask Foschio to dismiss the lawsuit.

Facebook claimant Paul Ceglia returns to U.S. to press his case

Facebook alleges 'shakedown,' wants Paul Ceglia lawsuit dismissed

-- Jessica Guynn

Photo: Facebook sign outside the company's new campus in Menlo Park, Calif. Credit: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg