CNN's Kevin Liptak, Kevin Bohn, Jake Tapper, Drew Griffin, David Fitzpatrick and Ted Barrett contributed to this report.

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Mr Berners-Lee says that in creating the WWW he drew on the work of computing pioneer Ted Nelson - who is widely regarded as the father of hypertext.

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But it drew stiff opposition from disgruntled car owners as well as Ted Frank of the Center for Class Action Fairness, who frequently sues to break up settlements he regards as collusive or unfair.

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