The Winklevosses' last stand: Twins take Facebook suit to Supreme Court (as Appeals Court tells them never to bring it up again)

 

 

By Ted Thornhill

 

Last updated at 11:05 AM on 17th May 2011

 

 

Twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss are taking their multi-million-dollar Facebook settlement suit to the highest court in America after the Appeals Court gave their case a firm 'dislike'.

 

The Winklevosses won $65million in 2008 from Facebook-founder Mark Zuckerberg after claiming he had stolen the idea from them. Now they want a cool $100million, having learnt that the company is worth a whopping $50billion.

 

Yesterday the U.S Appeals Court told the twins that their litigation must end for good – but undeterred, they have now instructed their lawyers to petition the Supreme Court.

 

About to hit the 'dislike' button: Cameron Winklevoss (left) and his brother Tyler leave the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco

 

A memo from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said: ‘See Fed. R. App. P. 35, 40. No further petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc may be filed.'

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said in an email that the company was pleased with the court's decision.

 

 

 

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But the saga is set to rumble on. The twins - known together as the Winklevii - say that the amount that the company is worth was withheld from them, so they deserve more stock.

In a statement they said: ‘The Court’s decision shut the courthouse door to a solid claim that Facebook obtained this settlement by committing securities fraud. Our Petition to the Supreme Court will ask the high court to decide whether that door should be reopened.’

Their legal feud with Zuckerberg has become so infamous that it even received the Hollywood treatment. It was turned into movie The Social Network last year, garnering huge critical acclaim and a Golden Globe for best picture.

 

In the line of legal fire: Mark Zuckerberg', CEO of Facebook

 

Zuckerberg was played by Jesse Eisenberg while the Winklevosses were played by one actor - Armie Hammer.

 

The Olympic rowers’ dispute with Zuckerberg centres around their website ConnectU, which they say he copied to make Facebook when they were at Harvard University together.

 

He eventually agreed to a settlement of $20million in cash and $45million in shares to end the 'rancorous legislation'.

 

Dramatisation: Jesse Eisenberg, second from right, plays Facebook's Mark Zuckeberg in smash-hit movie The Social Network

 

But he always maintained Facebook didn't steal the idea.

In January the twins attempted to re-open the deal, claiming it was unfair because Facebook withheld the true value of its shares - even though their settlement is today worth $160million.

This, however, was thrown out by a San Francisco appeals judge in April, who ruled that the wrangling must stop.

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Alex Kozinski wrote in a unanimous verdict at the time: 'At some point, litigation must come to an end. That point has now been reached.'

He said the 6ft 5ins identical twins, were 'sophisticated' negotiators who were helped by a team of lawyers and knew what they agreed to at the 2008 mediation meeting.

Now, with their appeal thrown out and the Supreme Court next on their list, some may be wondering whether a sequel to the film is needed, especially since it has emerged that the twins are fighting on two fronts.

A Massachusetts judge recently ruled that a software developer can sue them for a slice of their $65million Facebook settlement.

Wayne Chang claims he is entitled to as much as half the money because he developed peer-to-peer file sharing software for their website, ConnectU - and signed a contract giving him joint ownership.

 

Olympic stars: The Winklevoss twins rowed for Oxford in last year's boat race

 

 

I watched The Social Network and assumed they characterized the douchiness of the Winklevii for drama then I watched an interview with them and realized the movie producers were actually just being kind and making them seem less douchey than they actually are. What a bunch of immature children. If you came up with such a great idea don't complain about someone who implemented it, make a better idea and then make the world better, get rich, and fuck bitches. that's how life's done. get it through your heads. >:C

then I watched an interview with them and realized the movie producers were actually just being kind and making them seem less douchey than they actually are

They're even douchier in real life? :surprised: I didn't know that was possible.

They're even douchier in real life? :surprised: I didn't know that was possible.

 

:lol:

They have spent the money they got given in 2008 on rubbish, they want more money to keep funding their habits of blowing it away

They look like the actors so much. lol.