Broadcasters: Aereo ‘obvious and unambiguous’ copyright violation

Major TV broadcasters want the Supreme Court to shut down the Internet video service Aereo, which they say is premised on a violation of copyright law.

“Aereo’s unauthorized retransmission of broadcast television to the public is obvious and unambiguous copyright infringement," ABC, NBC, PBS and other major broadcasters said in a brief filed with the high court. Aereo uses tiny antennas to pick up free, live broadcast television and relay it to users’ tablets, computers and other devices, for a monthly fee. The broadcasters say that’s a violation of the “transmit” clause in copyright law, which forbids transmission of a performance. They say the company needs to pay for the privilege to show their content, like satellite and company companies do.