The Copyright Case of the Decade: Analyzing Google v. Oracle at the Supreme Court

Google v. Oracle, which is widely hailed as "the copyright case of the decade," involves a $9 billion intellectual property dispute between some of the largest technology companies in the world. It poses fundamental questions about the ability to copyright software interfaces that tens of millions of people use every day in their smartphones and other devices.  The case also may implicate the ability to engage in the fair use of computer programs – and by extension, to pursue technological innovation and apply the fair use doctrine to creative professions and activities more broadly.

Carolyn Shapiro and JP Schnapper-Casteras will analyze recent oral arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States, and illuminate various likely outcomes and their legal and practical impact. This program will benefit appellate practitioners, technology lawyers, and intellectual property specialists.

1. Identify the key themes and concerns that emerged in the Supreme Court of the United States and appellate briefing
2. Analyze possible scenarios and the ramifications for creative professionals and for the software industry
3. Re-examine the Google v. Oracle dispute in light of the changing composition of the Supreme Court