WASHINGTON-The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday morning heard two cases with potential impacts on wireless data services.
In Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. v. Grokster Ltd., the court seemed to be skeptical that a test could be developed to determine when new innovations are used primarily for copyright infringement.
In the Brand X cases-the National Cable & Telecommunications Association v. Brand X Internet Services and the Federal Communications Commission v. Brand X-the court did not seem as harsh on the lawyer for Brand X, Thomas Goldstein. Additionally, Goldstein may have scored points with the court when he compared the Brand X situation with a decision announced less than two hours earlier by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor involving the Oneida Indian Nation of New York.
Both cases are seen as having potential impacts on wireless data because Grokster will deal with evolving technology, and Brand X is thought to shape the debate of telecom reform as it moves to Congress.
