Internet Platforms for Conferencing

The COVID-19 is reducing the ability to participate in face-to-face interaction. The use of Internet to engage in depositions was described in a recent post regarding Remote Swearing of Witnesses. This allows a person to be sworn when they are not in the presence of a notary public or court reporter. That post generated some questions regarding software that could be used to engage remotely in a deposition while viewing the witness. 

The following are suggestions that may be of benefit to practitioners. There is no endorsement of these products, this is merely a list of suggestions that lawyers may wish to investigate. 

1. WebEx: 

- Free.

- Can be accessed through an Internet Browser OR can be downloaded on a device.

- Can be downloaded on an Apple or Android device (IPhone, IPad, Samsung Phone).

- Up to 100 people can be in the call at a time.

- Meetings will only last up to 40 minutes (with the free version).

2. Zoom: 

- Free.

- Can be accessed through Internet Browser OR can be downloaded on to a device.

- Can be downloaded on an Apple or Android device (IPhone, IPad, Samsung Phone).

- Meetings will only last up to 40 minutes (With the free version).

3. Skype: 

- Free.

- Can be accessed through an Internet Browser OR can be downloaded on a device - go to web.skype.com to access the Internet Browser version.

- Can be downloaded on an Apple or Android device (IPhone, IPad, Samsung Phone).

- Meetings appear to not have time limits. 

- Up to 50 people can be in the call at a time.

4. Facetime: 

- Free.

- Can only be accessed on Apple devices.

- Very easy to use- Don’t have to download any apps or access any website to use. To do a Group Facetime you can either call one person first and add people as you go OR start a group message and Facetime everyone at once.

- Up to 32 people can be in a call at once.

- No time limits.

5. Google Hangouts:

- Free.

- Can be accessed through an Internet Browser.

- Can be downloaded on an Apple or Android device (IPhone, IPad, Samsung Phone).

- Likely must have a Google account (such as a Gmail or even having a YouTube account).

6. Microsoft Teams: 

- Free.

- Can be accessed through Internet Browser OR can be downloaded on a device.

- Can be downloaded on an Apple or Android device (IPhone, IPad, Samsung Phone).

- Must have a (free) Microsoft account.