Live streams of copyrighted content pose a threat to cable giants

The "Fight of the Century" has ignited a battle between cable giants and upstart live-streaming apps.

The conflict centers on video apps such as Twitter's Periscope and rival Meerkat, which allow smartphone users to instantly broadcast anything to anyone, anywhere. Such apps allowed thousands of users to skip the $100 pay-per-view fee for the bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao and watch online for free. That poses a serious threat to cable companies that rely on subscribers ponying up big bucks to watch marquee events. The free-for-all adds one more complication for cable companies already reeling from cord cutters switching to cheaper streaming TV platforms such as Netflix. It also poses problems for sports leagues and any other organization with copyrighted content worth protecting.