Streaming TV case forces US to choose between continuity and innovation
Chaitanya ‘Chet' Kanojia (Photo : DC/File photo)
Washington: US Supreme Court judges debated on Tuesday whether they can side with broadcasters in a copyright challenge to an Internet startup company, without threatening the burgeoning world of cloud computing.The high court heard arguments in the dispute between television broadcasters and Aereo Inc., which takes free television signals from the airwaves and allows subscribers to watch the programs on laptop computers, smart phones and other portable devices.
The case has the potential to bring big changes to the television industry. But several justices expressed concern that a ruling for the broadcasters could hamper the continuing development of cloud computing, which gives users access to a vast online computer network that stores and processes information. Justice Stephen Breyer said the prospect makes him nervous. “Are we somehow catching other things that would really change life and shouldn’t?” Breyer asked.
David Frederick, representing Aereo, said the “cloud computing industry is freaked out about the case” because it sees its $10 billion investment at risk if the court were to hold that anytime music or an image is stored online and then retrieved, the copyright law would be implicated. Headed by NRI Chaitanya ‘Chet’ Kanojia., Aereo offers its service for $8 a month in 11 cities, including New York, Boston, Houston and Atlanta. Subscribers get about two dozen local over-the-air stations.
When a subscriber wants to watch a show live or record it, the company temporarily assigns the customer an antenna and transmits the programme over the Internet to the subscriber’s laptop, tablet, smartphone or other device. Chief Justice John Roberts repeatedly asked Frederick whether the tiny antennas existed for any reason other than to avoid paying the broadcasters for their content. “Is there any reason you need 10,000 of them?” Roberts said at one point. He suggested that it might not affect his view of the case if there was no other reason.
Some American broadcasters networks have said they will consider abandoning free over-the-air broadcasting if they lose at the Supreme Court.
( Source : AP )
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