Broadcasters try to block Aereo asset sale, $90M tax transfer

CBS, Fox, NBC and other big broadcasters are asking a judge to block any asset sale that would allow the defunct streaming TV company Aereo to reinvent itself as a cloud-DVR service.

The broadcasters believe that an asset sale could deprive them of the ability to collect copyright damages related to Aereo’s services. The issue is whether Aereo can re-emerge from bankruptcy with a new business model that is based just on its remote recording technology. Broadcasters fear that an Aereo sale could force them to start their copyright campaign anew, since a transaction borne of bankruptcy court would let a new corporate entity operate unencumbered from existing litigation.