Supreme Court Sides with Google in Oracle Copyright Case

Tech News Roundup: April 5, 2021

Several significant rulings were delivered by the Supreme Court concerning technology today. Additionally, LG announced the cessation of its smartphone operations, and a detailed examination of StockX’s trajectory is presented. This constitutes your Daily Crunch for April 5, 2021.

Supreme Court Decisions

Key Ruling: Google Prevails in Oracle Copyright Dispute

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a pair of rulings with implications for the tech sector. Notably, it reversed Oracle’s prior win in its copyright litigation against Google. This reversal prevents Google from being obligated to pay Oracle $8 billion for utilizing portions of Oracle’s Java software language within the Android mobile operating system.

Justice Stephen Breyer stated, “For the sake of argument, we presume the material was subject to copyright.” However, the court determined that Google’s use constituted fair use, and therefore did not infringe upon copyright law.

Furthermore, the court overturned a previous ruling that found then-President Donald Trump had violated the First Amendment through blocking critics on Twitter. Justice Clarence Thomas posited that platforms like Facebook and Google function as communication networks, “carrying” information between users. Consequently, he argued they should be subject to regulation similar to that of telecommunications carriers.

Industry Developments

LG is discontinuing its smartphone business globally, redirecting its resources toward expanding into “growth areas” such as components for electric vehicles.

The labor relations board has ruled in favor of Amazon employees who were terminated after voicing criticism of the company. Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, both outspoken internal critics, were dismissed last year.

Spotify is extending its advertising sponsorship opportunities to a second personalized playlist, following the success of Discover Weekly in 2019. The “On Repeat” playlist is now available for advertising sponsorships.

Funding and Venture Capital

India-based Swiggy is approaching a $5 billion valuation with a new $800 million funding round. This investment will support Swiggy’s expansion plans following workforce reductions implemented during the pandemic.

A co-founder of Knotel has departed the company, characterizing investor Newmark as “a stalking horse.” The startup filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, with its assets being acquired by Newmark, a commercial real estate brokerage.

Byju’s has acquired Aakash, an Indian tutoring center, for approximately $1 billion. Aakash is a 33-year-old network of physical coaching facilities.

Extra Crunch Insights

StockX Analysis: The EC-1 Story

Currently valued at $2.8 billion, StockX has processed over 10 million transactions to date.

Chinese startups are accelerating the development and introduction of alternative protein sources to meet growing consumer demand. 2020 may represent a pivotal moment for alternative protein in China.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to assist founders and startup teams in achieving their goals. Subscription details can be found here.)

Other Notable News

Considerations regarding the fate of your NFTs and cryptocurrency assets after your passing are gaining attention. A recent study reveals that only 25% of consumers have shared all their passwords and account details with a trusted individual.

Contactless mobile payments are projected to exceed 50% of all smartphone user transactions in the U.S. by 2025, driven by the pandemic. According to eMarketer, in-store mobile payment usage increased by 29% in the U.S. last year.

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