Aereo wants to change the way we watch TV, although a Supreme Court decision last summer nearly shut them down. But they haven’t given up yet.
Aereo’s technology allows customers to access TV online through antennas that direct broadcasts to your phone, tablet, or computer.
But under current copyright law, cable companies are required to get broadcasters’ permission to distribute their work. Cable companies claimed that Aereo was shirking this law, while Aereo argued that they were just producing technology, and should not be subject to those fees.
The Supreme Court ruled against Aereo, and said their streaming was subject to copyright law in the same way as cable companies.
Next Aereo applied to be a cable company. A court has now denied them a license, but did not strike down the possibility of their continuing to operate DVR services. Meanwhile one of their employees has filed to become a D.C. lobbyist as they seek ways to keep their technology alive.
Before the Supreme Court ruling in the summer, Reason TV sat down with experts, including Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia, to discuss the case.
“[This is] just an indication of how complex copyright law has become,” University of Maryland Professor of Law James Grimmelmann told Reason.
“Whatever happens to Aereo the industry from now on is going to be forced to move forward and innovate,” Aereo’s Kanojia said.“I didn’t cause this change. Change has been brewing since the internet starting moving bits around.”
Watch the video via Reason TV:
