What the Aereo Decision Means for Consumers (Public Knowledge)

What the Aereo Decision Means for Consumers

Dear Public,

  

Do you watch broadcast channels on your television? Do you watch TV programs online? What if you rented an antenna that would allow you to watch the broadcast TV programs you already receive on your computer?

That's exactly what a company called Aereo did for their business model, until it was deemed a copyright violation last week by the Supreme Court.

With Aereo, no one was losing out. These broadcast signals were already available to Aereo users. Companies who make the programs were still getting paid by the broadcasters. And broadcasters were still getting paid by the advertisers. So how did it end up in front of the Supreme Court?

 

Broadcasters didn't want to lose control over the distribution channels for TV. The more ways that viewers can access their favorite programs, the less control broadcasters can have over what they view. Broadcasters simply want to maintain power and control over a changing television landscape.

Aereo provided an innovative service that brought consumers more choices, more control over their programming, and lower prices.  Beyond copyright implications, this decision will have an impact on other innovative technologies, like cloud computing. Consumers deserve access to innovative technologies and fair options for broadcast television viewing.

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