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Friday, October 01, 2010
Courts - A guide to the technology cases before the SCOTUS
A long survey today by David Kravets of the Wired blog, Threat Level, begins:
The U.S. Supreme Court begins a new term Monday with a slew of technology and civil rights issues queued on its docket, some of which could have far-reaching implications for the Freedom of Information Act, copyright, warrantless searches of private residences, the “state secrets” privilege and freedom of expression.The cases we’re tracking involve regulation of videogame sales, the limits of the Copyright Act’s first-sale doctrine and the power of the government to collect sensitive data on employees. Another case asks whether convicted defendants have a right to use modern DNA testing to prove their innocence.
Ruling on these issues is a rapidly changing high court, with four new appointees in five years, creating the youngest court in the modern, digital age.
“You’re getting a new generation of justices. You’ve got justices who text on their phones, who do e-mail, who actually use a computer,” says Thomas Goldstein, the SCOTUSblog founder who has argued nearly two dozen cases before the Supreme Court. “That can have real consequences. It makes a difference.”
Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 1, 2010 09:48 AM
Posted to Courts in general