In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court overruled a lower-court's decision and has now definitively determined that "Aereo is illegal". Aereo, a startup that enables you to stream live network TV over the internet, has been an interesting story to follow because of its precedent setting potential. It embodies large and growing issues of copyright and content delivery using cloud technology.
As Business Insider reports, "In a major decision regarding copyright law, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday against Aereo, a streaming service, and in favor of TV broadcasters." The Supreme Court justices found that Aereo had violated copyrights owned by TV broadcasters, marketers, and distributors whose programs the company streamed. "This ruling appears sweeping and definitive, determining that Aereo is illegal," the lawyer, Tom Goldstein, wrote on SCOTUSblog.
Aereo's technology uses special high-definition antennas, about the size of a thumbnail, to pull in broadcast TV from the airwaves. The signal is transferred over the internet to your device. Aereo argued that it was legal because its service was no different from a company that rents HD antennas and DVR equipment to customers. As Goldstein wrote on SCOTUSblog, "The essence of the Aereo ruling is that Aereo is equivalent to a cable company, not merely an equipment provider."
Looked like a good idea. Wish we could have tried it here in Colorado.
