Here's Why The Supreme Court May Have A Hard Time Understanding A Huge Technology Case
Alex Wong / Getty Images
That startup sends TV broadcast signals to your computer, tablet, or phone so you can watch free network TV on a device other than a television. The TV broadcasters aren't fans of Aereo's business model, and they've filed a lawsuit claiming it violates copyright laws.
This is a case that involves unprecedented copyright issues because Aereo uses such new technology. As our Brett Logiurato has pointed out, Aereo's supporters have been a little worried about how relatively old Supreme Court justices will understand the complex tech issues at the core of the case.
Justice Antonin Scalia seemed to confirm these fears when he suggested he didn't know you had to pay for HBO, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked a question that indicated she didn't know the difference between Aereo and Roku. (The latter lets users access subscription services like Hulu and Netflix.)
The lack of tech savvy extends beyond these two justices. As an organization, the Supreme Court is fairly antiquated when it comes to how they communicate. Forget g-chat - the justices don't even communicate over email, Justice Elena Kagan said during an appearance at Brown University in August. Instead, they communicate through memos on ivory paper.
Kagan said the justices have a long way to go when it comes to understanding Twitter, Facebook, and email, the Associated Press reported.
"The justices are not necessarily the most technologically sophisticated people," she reportedly said. "The court hasn't really 'gotten to' email."
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema
- SC rejects pleas seeking cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with VVPAT
- Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 electric sports bike launched in India starting at ₹2.99 lakh
- Deloitte projects India's FY25 GDP growth at 6.6%
- Italian PM Meloni invites PM Modi to G7 Summit Outreach Session in June
- Markets rally for 6th day running on firm Asian peers; Tech Mahindra jumps over 12%